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COMMON  SEA-SHELLS 


—OF— 


CALIFORNIA: 


-BY— 


JOSIAH    KEEP,    A.    M. 

TEACHER  OF  NA1ITRAL  SCIENCES,  ALAMEDA  HIGH  SCHOOL.      CURATOR  OF 
CONCHOLOGT,    CALIFORNIA  ACADEMY   OF   SCIENCES. 


FULLY  ILLUSTRATED  BY  NUMEROUS  PLATES.  Jk^> 


SAN   FRANCISCO. 
PRINTED  FOR  THE  AUTHOR  BY 

UPTON  BROS;  605  SACRAMENTO  STREET. 
1881. 


12  CALIFORNIA     SEA-SHELLS. 

front  of  the  umbones,  is  called  the  lunule.  To 
learn  these  various  parts,  compare  the  following 
explanation. 

EXPLANATION  OF  PLATE  I. 

Fig.  1,  A  Univalve ;  Purpura  crispata.  a, 
apex  ;  $p,  spire ;  ap,  aperture ;  o.  I,  outer  lip  ;  co,, 
canal;  u,  umbilicus;  <?,  columella ;  b.  w,  body 
whorl ;  Sj  suture. 

Fig.  2,  A  Bivalve,  Tapes  tenerrima.  u,  uinbo ; 
lu,  lunule  ;  a,  a,  adductor  muscular  impressions  ; 
j9,  pallial  line ;  p.  s,  pallial  sinus  ;  I.  t,  lateral 
tooth  ;  £,  cardinal  teeth  ;  /,  ligament 

Moll nsks,  like  plants,  have  two  names;  the 
first  is  the  generic,  or  the  name  of  the  genus ; 
the  second  is  the  specific,  or  the  name  of  the 
species.  For  example,  Myiilus  Calif ornianus, 
the  "  California  mussel."  By  a  species  is  meant  a 
group  of  individuals  which  have  such  similarities 
that  they  may  be  supposed  to  have  descended 
from  a  single  pair.  A  genus  is  a  group  of  sim- 
ilar species.  The  abbreviation  after  a  name  des- 
ignates the  author  who  first  gave  that  name  to 
the  species. 


PLATE     1. 


Fig.  2. 


13 


CHAPTER  II. 

ON  COLLECTING  AND  PRESERVING   SHELLS. 

~TT'T~E  know  but  little  of  the  creatures  which  live 
V  V  at  the  bottom  of  the  deep  sea,  and  only  a  few 
persons  have  an  opportunity  to  dredge  in  the 
more  shallow  waters.  Most  of  us  must  be  con- 
tent to  search  that  narrow  strip  of  shore  which  is 
daily  left  bare  by  the|ebbing  tide.  But  this  ground 
will  yield  us  many  pleasant  surprises  if  we  work 
it  carefully.  To  extend  our  field  of  observation 
as  far  as  possible,  we  should  take  advantage  of 
the  lowest  tides,  such  as  come  in  the  early  morn- 
ing. A  pair  of  long  rubber  boots,  and  a  good 
staft  with  a  hook  at  one  end  are  valuable  assist- 
ants. A  sharp  lookout  should  always  be  Jcept 
for  the  waves,  for  many  sad  accidents  have 
happened  to  those  who  have  ventured  too  far  to- 
wards the  breakers,  or  have  remained  too  long  in  * 
dangerous  clefts  and  caves. 

The  collector  should  follow  the  retreating  tide 
as  far  as  convenient,  and  carefully  notice  all  the 
hiding  places  of  the  shy  mollusks.  Loose  stones 
should  be  turned  over  and  searched,  Of  course, 
innumerable  crabs  will  scamper  off*  sidewise  and 
make  an  ominous  rustling,  but  they  will  do  no 
harm.  Pools  left  by  the  tide  often  contain  val- 


14  CALIFORNIA      SEA-SHELLS. 

liable  prizes  and  should  not  be  overlooked.  Liv- 
mg  mollnsks  are  most  to  be  sought  for,  but  dead 
shells  are  often  worth  picking  up.  Do  not  mis- 
take the  brisk  litle  Hermit  Crabs  which  live  in 
empty  shells  for  the  original  inhabitants  ;  such 
a  mistake  has  sometimes  been  made  by  those 
who  have  spent  many  years  on  the  sea-shore. 

Some  bivalves,  like  the  chamas,  are  found 
firmly  attached  to  rocks,  and  so  closely  do  they 
resemble  the  surface  to  which  they  cling  that  it 
is  difficult  to  detect  them.  Others  spin  a  byssus, 
or  cable  of  threads,  and  anchor  themselves  firmly 
to  some  rock  or  post.  Many  species  live  in  mud 
or  sand  and  send  up  siphons  to  the  overlying 
water.  After  the  tide  retreats,  watch  for  their 
holes,  or  observe  the  jets  of  water  which  they 
sometimes  throw  up  when  disturbed.  When 
you  have  found  the  lurking  place,  dig  out  the 
rnollusk  with  a  spade. 

Gasteropoda  are  usually  found  clinging  to 
stones  or  seaweed.  Some  kinds  can  be  found 
plenty  enough,  but  for  other  species  you  must 
turn  over  masses  of  sea-moss  and  peer  into  curi- 
ous cracks  and  crannies.  The  discovery  of  the 
real  live  animal,  in  his  own  proper  home,  brings 
a  joy  which  is  never  felt  by  those  who  merely 
search  the  sandy  beach,  or  catch  their  shells 
with  the  silver  hook. 

Limpets  can  easily  be  detached  by  a  thin,  flat 
knife ;  the  more  unexpected  the  attack,  the 
better.  Abalones  must  be  sought  in  the  cletts 
of  rocks,  and  be  dett ached  by  a  sudden  pry  writh 
a  long  wedge.  Many  minute  shells  may  be 
gathered  by  putting  sea-weed  into  a  pail  of  fresh 


NOTES    FOK   STUDY.  15 

water,  as  the  little  shells  are  apt  to  foil  to  the 
bottom.  The  sand  of  little  coves  should  be 
searched  for  small  shells  which  the  waves  have 
brought  in.  Some  fine  mollusks  live  on  the  kelp, 
outside  the  low  water  mark ;  these  may  be 
gathered  when  the  sun  shines,  with  the  aid  of  a 
boat.  The  stomachs  of  large  fishes  often  yield 
rich  treasures  of  deep  sea  shells,  and  help  us  gain 
some  knowledge  of  those  depths  which  can  only 
be  reached  by  a  dredge. 

In  collecting  mollusks,  carefully  note  their 
habitat ;  whether  they  live  on  rocks,  weeds,  sand 
or  mud,  also  in  what  depth  of  water.  Learn  if 
possible  their  habits  and  the  nature  of  their  food. 
It  is  always  well  to  put  some  of  the  living  speci- 
mens into  a  pan  or  jar  of  sea  water,  and  watch 
their  movements.  Note  carefully,  in  collections, 
whether  the  shell  resembles  in  form  or  color  the 
objects  near  which  it  is  found.  It  has  been  ob- 
served by  some  naturalists  that  the  imitative  col- 
oring of  a  shell  apparently  has  much  to  do  with  its 
chances  of  remaining  unnoticed,  arid  therefore'of 
preserving  its  existence.  If  this  be  true  to  a  con- 
siderable extent,  it  may  give  many  hints  as  to 
the  probable  places  in  which  to  iincl  certain  spe- 
cies, 

Mollusks  may  be  preserved  in  alcohol  entire, 
but  generally  the  shell  is  the  only  part  which  is 
kept  for  the  cabinet.  To  remove  the  soft  parts 
is  an  undesirable,  but  necessary  work.  It  is  best 
done  by  placing  the  shells  in  boiling  wator  tor  a 
few  minutes,  and  then  thowing  them  into  cold 
water  to  cool  and  harden.  The  boiling  water  al- 


16  CALIFORNIA    SEA-SHELLS. 

most  instantly  coagulates  the  albumen,  and  loos- 
ens the  connection  between  the  mantle  and  the 
shell.  The  soft  parts  can  then  be  removed  with 
a  little  wire  hook  or  a  bent  pin.  If  possible, 
they  should  be  wholly  removed,  but  if  it  cannot 
be  done,  and  the  shell  is  particularly  desireable, 
it  may  be  plugged  with  cotton.  The  operculum 
should  be  fastened  to  the  cotton  by  a  drop  of 
mucilage.  The  operculum  should  be  preserved 
in  like  manner,  in  all  cases  where  a  perfect 
shell  is  required.  Bivalves  gape  after  boiling, 
so  when  the  flesh  has  been  removed,  the  shells 
should  be  closed  with  a  string.  Chitons  are 
hard  to  preserve  in  proper  shape;  it  may  be  done, 
however,  by  tying  them  flat  to  -a  shingle  with 
candle  wicking,  arid  placing  them  in  fresh  water. 
After  they  areT  dead,  and  the  muscular  mantle 
has  lost  its  contractile  power,  they  must  be  loosen- 
ed from  the  shingle  and  the  viscera  removed 
with  a  sharp  knife. 


PLATE    II. 


17 


CHAPTEE  III. 

DESCRIPTION  OF   UNIVALVE   SHELLS. 

PTERONOTUS  festivus,  Hds.,  Fig.  1,  PL 
II,  is  a  representative  of  the  great  family 
of  the  Muricidae  or  Rock  Shells,  which  abound 
in  the  warm  waters  around  Panama,  and  furnish 
so  many  parlor  ornaments.  Most  of  the  family 
have  very  rough  exteriors,  and  are  smooth  and 
brilliantly  tinted  within.  This  species  is  about 
an  inch  and  a  half  in  length,  irregularly  spindle- 
shaped,  i.  e.  tapering  toward  both  ends,  with  large, 
reflexed  frills,  and  a  tubular  canal.  Color, 
whitish,  with  various  dark  markings.  It  is 
found  chiefly  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State. 

Ranella  California*,  Hds.,  Frog  Shell,  Fig.  2, 
PI.  II,  sometimes  glows  to  a  length  of  six  inches. 
It  is  a  solid,  light  colored  shell,  with  two  heavy 
folds  on  opposite  sides,  long  canal,  the  edge  of 
the  aperture  crenulated  ;  spire  of  about  four 
whorles.  Common  length,  three  inches. 

Chrysodomus  dirus,  II ve.,  Golden  Spindle- 
Shell,  Fig.  3,  PI.  II,  has  an  ominous  name,  but  the 
only  ill  luck  we  ever  experienced  while  gathering 
theso  shells  was  getting  caught  by  the  tide  on  Dux- 
bury  Reef,  at  Bolinas,  and  being  obliged  to  wade 
ashore.  It  is  spindle  shaped,  from  one  to  two 


18  CALIFORNIA;  SEA-SHELLS. 

inches  long,  the  spire  consisting  of  five  or  six  in- 
distinct whorls,  cut  into  waves  by  shallow  furrow*--. 
Spiral  lines,  numeious  ;  coluiurlla,  enamelled  ; 
outer  lip  of  a  rich  brown  color  within,with  twen- 
ty light  ridges.  The  outside  of  the  shell  is  gen- 
erally covered  with  a  whitish  powder,  which  can 
he  removed,  showing  the  dark  brown  shell.  It 
may  be  found  alive,  at  low  tide,  on  the  surface  of 
rocks  which  are  covered  with  coarse  sea  moss. 
Operculum,  sin?  11  and  horny. 

One  of  the  most  common  shell  on  this  coast  is 
Pur  pur  a  saxieola,  Yah,  The  Rock  Purple, 
shown  in  Fig.  4,  PI.  II.  It  derives  its  generic 
name  from  the  fact  that  the  ancient  Tyrians  ob- 
tained a  purple  dye  from  the  bodies  of  a  similar 
species,  while  its  specific  name  is  peculiarly  ap- 
propriate, tor  it  is  ever  'found  clinging  to  the 
rocks,  and  hiding  in.  their  clefts.  Length,  less 
than  an  inch  ;  spire,  short ;  coluinclla  ,  flattened  ; 
outer  lips,  thin  ;  canal,  short ;  umbilicus,  small. 
The  inside  is  reddish  brown,  while  the  outside 
varies  greatly  both  in  form  and  color.  Sorrietim.es 
it  is  smooth  and  almost  black,  sometimes  white 
and  coronated,  but  usually  it  is  decorated  with 
double  spiral  bands  of  a  dark  color,  often  accom- 
panied 'with  spiral  grooves.  These  many  varieties 
probably  all  belong  to  one  species.  It  is  found 
on  rocks- which  are  covered  only  at  high  tide. 

Purpura  canaliculata,  Du'cl.,  Grooved  Purple, 
Fig.  5,  PL  II,  is  much  more  rare;  than  the  last 
species,  probably  living  in  deep  -water.  In  size 
it  is  about  the  same,  but  it  is  more  smooth  and 
symmetrical.  The' spire  consists  of  three  whorls 
with  a  deep  suture  between  them.  From  apex 


PURPLES.  <  19 

to  aperture  run  thirteen  spiral  grooves,  giving  it 
the  appearance  of  C.  dims.  It  can  easily  be  dis- 
tinguished by  its  shorter  spire,  smooth  lip,  and 
deep  suture.  It  is  of  light  color,  sometimes  streak 
with  reddish  brown. 

Purpura  crispata,  Ohem.,  Rough  Pur]  le,  Fig. 
0,  PI.  II.  is  found  in  San  Francisco  Bay,  but  is 
more  common  in  more  northern  regions.  It  is 
often  two  or  three  inches  long,  strong  and  heavy. 
The  spire  consists  of  four  strongly  grooved 
whorls.  The  body  whorl  is  sometimes  smooth; 
but  often  very  rough  and  foliated.  It  is  said  to 
change  the  habit  of  its  growth,  when  moved  into 
new  localities.  Its  color  is  white  or  light  brown. 
In  old  shells,  the  umbilicus  is  conspicuous.  Like 
the  other. purples  it  has  a  horny,  elongated  oper- 
culuin.  Fig.  1,  PL  I,  represents  the  same  species. 

Next  comes  a  genus  of  mollusks,  almost  pecu- 
liar to  the  west  coast  ot  America.  A  good  rep- 
resentative is  shown  in  Fig.  J ,  PI.  Ill,  Mono- 
ceros  lapilloideS)  Conr.,  Pebbly  Horn  Shell.  It 
is  so  named  on  account  of  a  little  horn,  near  the 
base  of  the  outer  lip.  It  is  a  pretty  little  shell, 
found  on  the  rocks  between  tides,  having  a  spire 
of  four  whorls,  a  rather  small  white  mouth,  set 
with  seven  teeth.  The  outside  is  marked  with 
spiral  grooves,  and  the  lines  of  growth  break  up 
the  brown  color  into  little  blocks.  The  shells 
are  very  thick  and  strong,  well  fitted  to  resist 
the  force  of  the  waves.  Thin  and  delicate  shells 
are  generally  found  in  deep  water,  where  there 
is  little  danger  of  l.eing  dashed  against  the  rocks. 
Shore  shells  are  usually  strong  and  solid.  When- 
ever you  examine  a  shell,  notice  theee  •  points 


20  CALIFORNIA     SEA-SHELLS. 

and  try  to  finds  its  adaption  to  its  surroundings. 
In  this  way,  shell-gathering  becomes  something 
more  than  a  mere  pastime,  tor  it  brings  us  face 
to  face  with  the  great  questions  of  lite,  of  design, 
and  of  final  causes. 

Monoceros  engonatum,  Conr.,  Fig.  3,  PI.  Ill, 
resembles  the  last  species  in  many  respects,  but 
is  more  angular,  as  its  name  indicates.  The 
whorls  are  sharply  shouldered,  and  the  shell  is 
smoothish  and  brown-dotted.  By  some,  it  is 
doubted  whether  this  is  more  than  a  variety  of 
the  last  species.  It  is  more  common  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  the  State  than  in  the  northern.  A 
careful  study  of  the  variations  of  the  species 
which  are  found  in  different  localities,  and  which 
live  under  different  conditions,  is  highly  interest- 
ing, and  accurate  observations  by  any  one  may 
prove  valuable  to  science.  There  are  many 
things  yet  to  be  learned  about  our  more  common 
animals,  and  no  one  need  despair  of  discovering 
new  truths. 

Chorus  Belcheri,  Hds.,  Fig.2,  PL  III,  is  a  huge 
shell,  with  a  long  canal  and  a  tapering  spire, 
bristling  with  a  crown  of  long,  sharp  points.  Col- 
or, brown ;  length,  four  to  six  inches ;  more  com- 
mon in  southern  waters. 

In  sheltered  coves  the  waves  often  wash  up 
great  numbers  of  little  shells,  which  may  be 
gathered  at  low  tide.  A  very  common  as  well 
as  very  beautiful  shell  which  can  often  be  thus 
found  in  great  numbers  is  Amphissa  corrugata, 
Eve.,  Fig.  4,  PL  III,  Wrinkled  Amphissa.  If 
you  search  among  the  stones  at  very  low  tide,  you 
will  find  probably  find  some  of  them  alive, 


PLATK     in 


HORN-MOUTH.  2 1 

clinging  to  the  rocks.  Such  a  triumph  is  not 
soon  forgotten.  It  is  pleasant  to  gather  dead 
shells  on  the  shore,  but  that  is  not  enough ;  you 
want  to  find  the  little  animal  at  home  and  see 
how  he  keeps  house,  before  you  can  form  a  cor- 
rect notion  of  his  peculiarities.  Be  not  deceived 
by  the  little  hermit  crabs  which  love  to  get  into 
dead  shells  and  draw  them  around  as  a  means  of 
defense,  but  search  till  you  find  the  true  living 
mollusk.  Amphissa  corrugata  sometimes  grows 
to  a  length  of  one  inch,  but  is  usually  about  half 
that  length.  The  spire  consists  of  four  whorls  with 
a  plainly  marked  suture.  Spiral  striae  may  be 
found  at  the  base  of  the  shell,  above  which  the 
whole  surface  is  ornamented  with  wavy  rils, 
from  which  it  receives  its  name.  The  common 
color  is  reddish  yellow,  but  it  shades  through 
brown  to  black. 

Amyda  carinata,  Hds.,  Fig.  5,  PI.  Ill,  is 
about  the  size  of  a  barley-corn.  Its  spire  is  half 
the  length  of  the  shell,  and  consists  of  four 
whorls.  The  body  whorl  has  a  stout  keel,  which 
gives  the  species  its  name.  In  some  varieties 
this  keel  almost  wholly  disappears.  Color,  light 
brown,  with  fa  dark  apex  and  canal ;  surface, 
smooth  and  glossy  ;  may  be  found  on  the  beach, 
with  the  last  species. 

Fig.  6,  PI.  Ill,  represents  a  rare  and  beautiful 
shell,'  Cerostoma  foliatum,  Gmel.,  Leafy  Horn- 
mouth.  The  fine  specimen  which  the  artist 
used  as  a  model  was  found  among  the  rocks  off 
Pacific  Grove,  at  Monterey.  It  has  three  broad, 
winglike  varices,  or  expansions,  marking  stages 
in  growth.  These  varices  are  made  up  of  shelly 


22  CALIFORNIA     SEA  SHELLS. 

plates  which  overlap  like  shingles.  The  surface 
is  rough  and  deeply  sculptured.  The  aperture 
is  oval,  with  thin,  projecting  lips,  which  make, 
by  a  fold,  a  prominent  horn  near  its  base.  The 
slplional  canal  is  long,  closed,  and  curved  at  the 
tip.  The  outside  of  the  shell  is  of  a  dull  white,  and 
the  inside  is  lined  with  a  beautiful  white  enamel. 
The  opcrculnm.  looks  like  a  thin  chip  of  rose ' 
wood. 

•Cerostbma  NuttaUii,  Conr.  Fig.  1,  PL  IV,  Nut- 
tail's  Horn  in'mth,  rose. nbles  the  last  bat  is  small- 
the  varices  are  not  so  broad  and  thin,  while  the 
spaces  between  them  are  tubercled  and  marked 
with  but  little  spiral  sculptuing.  It  was  named 
for  the  eminent  naturlist,  Xuttall. 

The  genus  Nassa,  which  we  will  next  con- 
sider, has  several  representatives  on  the  coast  of 
California.  The  name  means  u  a  basket  for 
taking  fish,"  and  refers  to  the  netted  surface  oi 
most  of  the  species.  Among  our  most  common 
species  we  mention  Nassa  fossata,  Gld.,  Basket 
Shell,  shown  in  Fig.  2,  PI.  IV.  It  is  the  largest 
of  our  species.  Spire,  conical,  consisting  of  live 
or  six  whorls  ;  surface,  sculptured  by  spiral  and 
transverse  grooves.  The  inside  of  the  outer  lip 
is  also  grooved,  and  the  aperture  ends  in  a  short, 
strongly  rcflexed  canal,  through  which  the 
animal  sends  up  its  nose-pipe,  when  it  is  search- 
ing the  sand  for  bivalves.  Near  the  base  of  the 
body  whorl  is  a  deep  spiral  ditch,  or  "  fossa,": 
which  gives  a  name  to  the  species.  Color,  yellow-? 
ish  white,  deepening  in  the  mouth  to  a  brown- 
ish orange.  Length,  from  one  to  two  inches.  .. 

Nassa  perpinguis,  lids.,  Fig.  3,  PL  IV,  reseni- 


OLIVE    SHELLS.  23 

Lies  the  last,  but  is  much  smaller,  being  only 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  length.  Its  whorls  are 
beautifully  rounded  and  cut  into  little  squares. 
Shell,  thin,  light  brown,  with  a  trace  of  orange 
inside.  It  is  found  from  San  Francisco  Bay, 
southward. 

N  asset  mcndica,  Gld.,  Fig.  4,  PI.  IV,  is  a  vari- 
able shell,  about  the  same  in  length  as  the  last,  but 
more  slender.  The  surface  is  marked  with  fine 
spiral  lines  and  numerous  transverse  ribs.  Its 
color  is  light  brown,  with  a  white  "  peristome," 
or  margin  of  the  aperture.  Fine  specimens  of 
this  species  have  been  found  at  Santa  Cruz  and 
Monterey. 

Nassci  Cooperi,  Fbs.,  Cooper's  Basket-Shell, 
shown  in  Fig.  5,  PI.  IV,  is  a  pretty,  brownisb 
little  shell,  found  from  Bolinas  Bay  to  San 
Diego.  It  is  spirally  marked,  like  N.  mendica, 
but  its  ribs  number  only  seven  or  eight  to  a 
whorl,  and  are  quite,  high,  giving  the  shell  a 
tubercled  appearance.  The  white  lip  is  marked 
internally  with  small  teeth. 

We  now  come  to  one  of  the  beauties  of  our 
Coast,  the  Purple  Olive,  Olivella  biplicata^  Sby. 
Fiir.  7,  PI.  IV.  Every  one  must  admire  its  blu- 
ish-white, polished  surface,  and  purple  mouth. 
The  spire  is  short,  with  a  distinct  spiral  groove 
separating  the  wrhorls.  The  inner  w^all  of  the 
aperture  is  marked  by  a  bulge  of  enamel  above, 
and  two  small  folds  beneath,  which  give  the 
shell  its  specific  name.  Beds  of  living  Olives 
can  sometimes  be  found  just  beneath  the  surface 
of  the  sand,  at  low  tide.  They  are  active  little 
burrowers,  throwing  up  little  ridges  as  they 


24  CALIFORNIA      SEA-SHELLS. 

move.      The  shells  sometimes  exceed  an  inch  in 
length,  but  commonly  are  smaller. 

Olivella  bcetica,  Cpr.,  Slender  Olive,  Fig.  7, 
PI.  IV,  has  a  thin,  slender,  brownish  white  shell. 
It  is  smaller  and  less  abundant  than  the  former 
species,  and  can  easily  be  distinguished  by  its 
longer  spire,  attenuated  form,  and  brownish 
color.  These  two  species  comprise  nil  the  known 
California  Olive  shells. 

Gonus  Calif ornicus,  Hds.,  Fig.  1,  PI.  Y,  is 
our  only  representative  of  the  great  Cone  family, 
which  has  so  many  beautiful  members  in  tropical 
waters.  Our  little  species  is  very  humble,  being 
about  an  inch  in  length,  of  a  chestnut  color, 
smooth,  though  sometimes  found  covered  with  a 
hairy  epidermis.  The  dead  shells  may  often  be 
found  cast  up  on  the  beach. 

Fig.  2,  PL  V,  represents  a  shell  often  found 
somewhat  broken,  named  DriUia  torosa  by  Car- 
penter, which  we  may  translate  in  part  as  the 
Knotty  Drillia.  Its  color  is  from  olive  to  black ; 
length,  from  one  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half, 
spindle  shaped,  spire  of  five  or  six  whorls,  orna- 
mented by  a  spiral  row  of  knobs.  It  is  found 
frequently  at  Monterey. 

Drillia  penicillata,  Cpr.,  Fig.  3,  PI.  V,  Pen- 
cilled Drillia,  is  a  very  beautiful  species,  found 
at  Santa  Barbara  and  southward.  It  is  larger 
and  more  graceful  than  the  last  named,  brownish, 
with  delicate  markings,  spire  of  eight  whorls ; 
length,  one  inch  and  a  half. 

Lnponia  ( or  Cypraca )  spadicea,  Gray,  Fig. 
4,  PL  V,  Nut-brown  Cowry,  is  a  beautiful  shell. 


1'LATK     IV. 


PLATE       V 


IMITATIVE  COLORING.  25 

and  a  worthy  representative  of  the  famous  genus 
of  Cowries.  The  back  of  the  shell  is  well  shown 
by  the  artist.  It  is  of  chestnut  brown,  sur- 
rounded by  a  darker  stripe  which  shades  off  into 
light  brown  and  bluish  white.  The  other  side 
is  almost  wholly  occupied  by  the  aperture  aud 
lips.  The  former  is  narrow  aud  extends  the 
whole  length  of  the  shell.  Tho  lips  are  white 
and  set  with  about  22  teeth  on  each  side.  In  the 
adult  shell,  the  spire  is  completely  concealed  by 
the  whorls.  It  was  formerly  quite  rare,  but  has 
Decently  been  found  in  considerable  numbers  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  State,  living  with  the 
large  mussel,  Modiola  modiolus,  which  it  greatly 
resembles  in  color.  With  this  circumstance,  Mr. 
R.  E.  C.  Stearns  illustrates  and  enforces  the 
theory  of  the  preserving  effects  of  imitative  color. 
Ordinarily,  this  shell  would  be  a  conspicuous 
object,  and  would  quickly  bo  taken  by  man  or 
beast;  when  lying  among  the  similar  looking 
mussel  shells,  however,  it  is  not  easy  to  discover 
it,  or  distinguish  it  from  its  very  different  neigh- 
bois.  Perhaps  this  influence  ot  color  has  much 
to  do  with  the  abundance  or  scarcity  of  many 
other  shells,  and  it  should  be  carefully  studied. 
AVe  should  ask,  as  we  gather,  shells,  u  Do  they 
resemble  their  surroundings  in  color  or  form,  and 
does  this  resemblance  tend  to  protect  them?". 
The  study  of  this  subject  may  guide  us  to  the 
proper  place  to  search  for  shells-  whose  color  and 
form  we  know. 

The  little  Trivia  Californiea,  Gray^  Fig.  5, 
PI.  V,  is  sometimes  known  as  the  Coffee-bean 
Shell,  and  its  size  and  appearance  warrant  this 


2fi  CALIFORNIA    SEA  SHELLS. 

name.  It  is  very  plump  and  full,  with  a  dozen 
distinct  ribs  on  each  side.  Its  color  is  reddish 
chocolate,  with  white  teeth  on  the  inner  wall  of 
the  long  and  narrow  aperture.  It  is  a  pretty 
little  shell,  from  one-fourth  to  one-half  inch  in 
length,  and  is  sometimes  worn  as  a  jewel. 

Erato  vitellina,  Hds.,  Fig.  6,  PL  V,  is  about 
half  an  inch  in  length,  quite  smooth,  with  a 
large  aperture  and  thickened  outer  lip.  The 
spire  is  short  ,and  largely  concealed.  The  per- 
istome  is  white,  and  the  back  is  chestnut  brown. 
Dead  shells  may  frequently  be  found  along  the 
shore. 

Fig.  7,  PL  V,  represents  the  natural  size  of 
the  pretty  little  Erato  columbella,  Mke.  This 
species  has  a  visible  spire,  long  aperture  with 
finely  toothed  edges,  white  lips  and  olive  back. 
Still  smaller,  but  somewhat  resembling  this 
species,  is  the  pure  white  Marginella  Jewettii, 
Cpr.,  not  figured.  It  is  ore-fifth  of  an  inch  long, 
has  a  rounded  spire  and  four  distinct  folds  near 
the  base  of  the  columella.  It  resembles  the 
Kice  Shell,  Olivella  oriza,  but  is  shorter  and 
thicker. 

Fig.  1,  PL  YI,  represents  a  moderate  sized 
specimen  of  Lunatia  Lewissii,  Gld.,  Moon-shell. 
It  sometimes  grows  to  be  five  or  six  inches  in 
diameter,  and  is  a  powerful  enemy  to  helpless, 
burrowing  bivalves.  Plowing  along  through 
the  wet  sand  by  means  of  its  enormous  foot,  it 
no  sooner  strikes  an  unfortunate  clam  than  the 
head  is  stretched  out,  and  the  drill  which  it  car- 
ries in  its  trunk  started  on  its  errand  of  destruct- 
ion. Its  color  is  yellowish  white ;  spire,  shcrt ; 


HOKN-SHELLS.  27 

form,  spheroidal ;  surface,  sinoothish ;  operculum, 
horny  ;  umbilicus,  large.  It  somewhat  resembles 
the  similar  species,  Natica  clausa,  Brod.  &  Sby., 
which  may  be  distinguished  by  its  closed  um- 
bilicus and  shelly  operculum. 

The  black,  corkscrew-like  shell  shown  in  Fig. 
2,  PI.  VI,  which  we  may  call  a  Horn  Shell,  is 
known  by  the  name  of  Cerithidea  saerata,  Gld. 
There  are  ten  whorls,  numerously  ribbed,  with  a 
deep  suture  between  them.  This  shell  contrasts 
strangely  with  the  moon-shell,  the  greater  part 
of  that  being  the  body  whorl,  while  there  is 
little  to  this  except  the  spire.  The  outside  is 
dull  black  ;  the  inside,  glossy  brown.  Length, 
one,  to  one  and  a  half  inches.  Unlike  the  pre- 
vious species,  this  one  delights  in  the  brackish 
waters  of  bays  and  marshes.  The  writer  gather- 
ed them  in  great  numbers  on  the  muddy  flats  at 
the  head  of  Lake  Meriitt,  in  Oakland,  where 
they  seemed  to  be  enjoying  the  fresh  air,  after 
the  tide  had  left  them  on  the  surface  of  the  mud. 
Some  similar  species  in  other  countries  spend  so 
much  time  in  the  air  that  they  have  been  mis- 
taken for  land  shells.  Owing  to  their  form, 
they  are  very  difficult  to  clean.  After  boiling, 
as  much  of  the  soft  parts  as  possible  should  be 
removed,  and  the  space  plugged  with  cotton,  to 
which  the  horny,  circular,  multi-spiral  opercu- 
lum should  be  attached  by  a  drop  of  glue. 

Bittium  filosum,  Gld.,  Fig.  3,  PI.  VI,  is  a 
little,  brownish,  spiral  shell,  living  in  the  sea, 
and  marked  by  spiral  grooves,  without  ribs.  It 
is  a  bout  half  an  inch  long,  strong  and  solid. 


28  CALIFORNIA    SEA-SHELLS. 

There  are  several  other  species  of  Bittium,  mcst 
of  which  have  ribs. 

Fig.  4,  PL  VI,  represents  a  Scalaria  or  Stair- 
case Shell,  probably  of  tho  species  named  crebri- 
eostata,  "close-ribbed,"  by  P.  P.  Carpenter.  It  is 
a  beautiful,  pure  white  shell,  commonly  smaller 
than  the  figure,  marked  with  about  15  sharp 
ribs,  which  form  a  sort  of  crown  at  the  suture. 

Opalia  borealis,  Gld.,  Fig.  5,  PL  VI,  is  about 
an  inch  long,  white,  strong,  with  fewer  and 
blunter  ribs  than  Scalaria.  It  also  differs  from 
it  by  not  having  a  continuous  peristome. 

Upon  the  rocks,  from  the  region  of  low  tide 
to  the  surface  of  cliffs  washed  by  the  highest 
spray,  may  bo  found  great  numbers  of  little, 
dark  colored  shells,  about  the  size  of  peas.  They 
belong  to  the  genus  Littorina,  which  obviously 
means  Shore-shell.  Our  English  cousins  call 
them  Periwinkles.  The  aperture  to  these  shells 
is  entire,  and  the  operculum  is  thin,  horny,  and 
few-whorled.  We  have  two  common  species, 
both  of  which  are  nearly  black,  though  many 
specimens  may  be  found  which  are  spotted,  strip- 
ed, and  even  almost  white. 

Littorina planaxis,  Nutt.,  Fig.  6,  PI.  VI,  has 
a  short  spire,  round  body  whorl,  and  sharp  out- 
er lip  ;  it  is  distinguished  however,  as  its  name 
indicates,  by  its  flattened  and  scooped  columella. 
Its  length  is  from  three-fourths  of  an  inch  down- 
ward ;  the  interior  of  the  mouth  is  brown.  The 
other  species,  Littorina  scutulata,  Gld.,  Fig.  7, 
PL  VI,  is  generally  smaller  and  more  pointed. 
The  spire  is  as  long  as  the  aperture,  the  colum- 
ella not  excavated,  and  the  interior  of  the  aper- 


PLATE      VI. 


I 


PLATE        Yll . 


PERIWINKLES.  29 

tare  is  purple.  Both  of  these  species  are  very 
interesting  for  study.  They  can  easily  be  ex- 
amined in  little  tide  pools,  while  in  motion,  and 
their  method  of  clinging  to  the  rock  when  the 
water  has  left  them  should  he  noted.  A  near 
relative  to  the  above  is  the  little  Lacuna  unifas- 
ciata,  Cpr.,  or  Chink-shell,  represented  in  Fig. 
I,  PI.  VII.  It  is  a  very  lictle  thing,  about  one- 
sixth  of  an  inch  long,  very  few  whorled,  brown 
and  glossy,  with  the  color  sometimes  broken  into 
dots  on  the  keel  of  the  body  whorl.  The  aper- 
ture is  semi-lunar,  and  the  columella  flattened, 
with  an  umbilical  fissure,  from  which  it  takes 
its  generic  name.  It  is  worth  looking  for. 
Lacuna  solidula,  Lov.,  is  sometimes  halt  an 
inch  in  length,  but  often  of  less  size.  It  is 
three  whorled,  strong,  smooth,  with  small  um- 
bilicus, brown  surface  and  white  columella. 

We  have  now  come  to  the  Trochidce  or  Top- 
shells,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  numerous 
families  on  the  coast.  They  vary  greatly  in 
many  respects,  but  still  have  the  family  traits, 
and  family  features.  Some  of  them  are  the  first 
to  greet  you  as  you  climb  down  the  rocks  to  the 
shore,  others  are  rare  and  shy  enough  ;  some 
have  little  beauty,  while  others  rival  the  rainbow 
in  their  tints.  They  are  mostly  conical,  with 
entire  apertures,  and  nacreous,  or  pearly,  interi- 
ors. When  the  outer  coats  are  removed  with 
acids,  the  inner  pearly  layers  appear.  The  ani- 
mals feed  on  marine  vegetation.  We  will  begin 
our  description  with  the  smallest  species,  Pliasi- 
anella  eornpta,  Gld.,  Pheasant-shell,  shown  some- 
what magnified  in  Fig.  3,  PI.  VII.  It  is  BO  small 


30  CALIFORNIA     SEA-SHELLS. 

that  it  often  escapes  the  collector,  but  when  found 
and  examined  by  a  glass,  it  shows  its  beauties. 
Its  color  is  white,  with  large  zigzag  stripes  of 
bright,  cherry  red. 

Pachypoma  gibberosum,  Chern.,  Fig.  2,  PI. 
VII,  is  a  strong,  brick-red  shell,  often  found 
dead,  and  commonly  somewhat  broken.  It  is 
broadly  conical,  its  whorls  roughened  with  nu- 
merous coarse,  short  ribs,  and  its  base  marked  by 
five  or  six  deep,  concentric  furrows.  The  opcr- 
culum  is  oval,  horny  within,  with  a  white  shelly 
bulge  on  the  outside.  Breadth  of  shell,  from  two 
to  three  inches. 

Fig.  4,  PI.  VII,  represents  the  large  wavy 
Top-shell,  Pomanlax  undosus,  Wood.  It  some- 
times grows  to  a  size  much  greater  than  the  fig- 
ure, and  the  large  animal  may  be  seen  stretched 
out  upon  the  rocks,  feeding.  When  perfect,  the 
whitish  pearl  shell  is  covered  with  a  brown,  fi- 
brous epidermis.  In  form,  it  is  flatly  conical, 
with  a  long,  triangular  aperture ;  the  outer  lip  is 
thin,  the  whorls  covered  with  undulating  ribs, 
and  the  base  ornamented  with  beaded  circles. 
The  opereulum  is  very  striking,  horny  within, 
and  strengthened  without,  by  two  strong,  curved, 
shelly  ribs,  as  shown  in  the  figure.  This  species 
abounds  at  Santa  Barbara,  and  southward, 
though  it  has  been  found  at  Monterey. 

In  Fig.  5,  PI.  VII,  we  can  not  fail  to  see  a 
model  of  the  old  friend  who  is  so  ready  to  greet 
us  as  we  step  our  feet  on  the  rocky  shore. 
"  Thousands  of  thousands  "  would  hardly  give  us 
a  correct  idea  of  the  numbers  of  this  Black 
Turban,  or  Chlorostoma  funebmle,  A.  Ad. 


TURBAN  SHELLS.  31 

Firm  and  solid,  well  fitted  to  resist  the  buffer- 
ings of  the  waves,  it  clings  to  the  rocks  which 
are  daily  left  bare.  In  the  water,  the  little  black 
animal,  with  its  short  head  and  lively  feelers,  may 
be  seen  crawling  briskly  along;  while  in  the 
air,  it  can  wholly  secrete  itself  within  the  strong 
shell  and  close  the  door  with  its  circular  oper- 
culum.  The  color  is  dark  purple,  almost  black, 
with  white  pearly  layers  within  ;  whorls,  four, 
often  eroded  at  the  apex ;  body  whorl,  often 
puckered  near  the  suture  ;  umbilicus,  nearly  clos- 
ed ;  columclla,  marked  by  two  teeth  near  its  base, 
operculum,  horny  and  rnultispiral 

Its  neighbor,  Chl<yros1oma  brunneum,  Phil., 
Crown  Turban,  Fig.  6,  PI.  VI,  is  a  finer  species, 
but  is  much  less  abundant.  The  best  specimens 
are  got  by  hunting  the  kelp  at  low  water,  by 
means  of  a  boat  or  long  rubber  boots.  It  is  of  a 
rich  brown  color,  with  a  white  mouth  and  very 
oblique  lines  of  growth,  which  give  the  shell  a 
fine  striated  appearance. 

Chlorostoma  aureotinctum,  Fbs.,  is  more  flat- 
tened than  the  last  species,  with  rough  ribs  on 
the  sides,  and  distinct  grooves  on  the  base  of  the 
body  whorl.  Fig.  1,  PI.  VIII,  well  illustrates 
its  form  and  size.  Its  color  is  dark  olive,  often 
worn  and  faded  ;  the  umbilicus  is  conspicuous, 
and  touched  with  bright  orange,  which  gives 
ri*e  to  its  pretty  name.  This  species  is  gener- 
ally found  to  the  south  of  Monterey  Bay. 

The  next  species,  Omphalius  fuscescens,~P\ri]., 
shown  in  Fig.  6,  PI.  VIII,  is  also  a  southern  va- 
riety. The  artist  has  given  the  basal  view, 
showing  the  large  umbilicus,  circular  aperture, 


32  CALIFORNIA      SEA-SHELLS. 

and  concentric  grooves.  The  low  whorls  are 
marked  by  spiral,  raised  lines,  broken  into 
numerous  points,  which  give  the  shell  a  character- 
istic appearance;  rounded  teeth  also  line  the 
lower  part  of  the  aperture.  Its  color  varies, 
from  light  to  dark  brcwn. 

Three  fine  species  ot  Top-shells,  which  always 
delight  the  heart  of  one  who  loves  to  study  and 
collect  these  graceful  forms  of  nature,  have  the 
common  name  Calliostoma.  They  are  shown  in 
Figs.  2,  3,  and  4,  PI.  VIII.  They  commonly 
live  outside  the  low  water  mark,  upon  the  kelp, 
where  the  rocks  can  not  injure  their  delicate  shells. 

At  times,  they  are  very  difficult  to  obtain,  prob- 
ably sinking  to  the  bottom  ;  but  it  is  said  that 
when  the  sun  shines  brightly  they  crawl  up  near 
the  surface,  and  can  easily  be  captured  by  the 
aid  of  a  boat. 

CMiostoma  costatum,  Mart.,  Fig.  2,  PI.  VIII, 
is  quite  thick  and  strong.  It  has  four  whorls 
rounded  and  marked  with  fine  spiral  ridges. 
The  thin,  reddish  brown,  outer  coat  is  easily 
peeled  off,  showing  the  bright,  pearly  blue  shell 
underneath.  The  aperture  of  dead  shells  is  often 
inhabited  by  the  White  Slipper-shell,  Crepidula 
namcelloides. 

Fig.  3,  PL  VIII,  is,a  fine  picture  of  Calliosto- 
ma annulatum,  Mart.,  Banded  Top-shell,  It  is 
a  very  pretty  shell-,  thin  and  delicate,  sharply 
conical,  marked  by  fine  spiral  lines,  which  are 
cut  into  minute  grains.  Color,  light  brown,  with 
darker  dots,  and  a  spiral  line  of  violet.  The 
aperture  is  nearly  square,  and  the  short  columel- 
la  is  pearly. 


PLATE       Yin  . 


1. 


4 


TOP  -  SHELLS.  33 

Cattwstoma  canaliculatum,  Mart.,  Grooved 
Top-shell,  Fig.  4,  PI.  VIII,  is  upwards  of  an  inch 
in  length  and  breadth.  It  is  very  thin  and  light, 
conical  in  shape,  and  marked  by  very  strong  spi- 
ral lines  alternating  with  lesser  ones,  with  a  dis- 
tinct suture  between  the  five  whorls.  Exterior 
color,  light  brown  ;  interior  of  aperture,  brightly 
iridescent. 

Trochiscus  Norrisii,  Sby.,  Fig.  5,  PI.  VIII, 
abundant  southward,  rare  at  Monterey,  is  alarge, 
smooth,  brownish  shell,  with  low  spire,  rounded 
whorls,  very  large  umbilicus,  and  ample  aperture, 
which  is  closed  by  a  mossy,  circular  operculum. 
It  is  found  on  the  rocks,  like  the  Turbans.  The 
The  last  shell;  No.  7,  figured  on  plate  VIII,  is 
Leptonyx  sanguineus,  Linn.,  alias  Leptoihyra 
sanguined.  The  figure  shows  the  natural  size, 
though  it  sometimes  grows  larger.  It  is  strong 
and  solid,  few  whorled,  marked  by  regular  spiral 
stride.  It  may  be  distinguished  from  small  spec- 
imens of  C.  costatum,  by  its  rounded  whorls, 
white  interior,  and  white,  shelly  operculum.  Its 
color  is  red  or  purple.  It  may  be  found  living 
on  the  surface  of  rocks,  at  low  water. 


t^rr 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   ABALONES,   LIMPETS   AND   CHITONS 


largest  and  most  beautiful  of  our  native 
I  shells  next  claim  our  attention.  In  the  East, 
they  are  commonly  called  u  California  Shells,'" 
and  are  much  used  as  decorations  for  mantel 
shelves,  and  bookcases.  Our  earliest  recollection 
of  them  carries  us  back  to  the  parlor  of  a  par- 
sonage in  New  England,  where,  after  the  quar- 
terly u  children's  meeting,"  the  great  shell  was 
passed  around,  and  in  it  we  deposited  our  big- 
copper  cents,  which  went  to  help  establish 
schools  for  heathen  childrei:.  Full  well  did  we 
admire  its  rich,  pearlv  lustre,  and  wonder  at  the 
row  of  mysterious  holes  which  perforated  its  side. 
Such  hallowed  memories  cling  around  the  shell 
illustrated  in  Fig.  2,  PL  IX.  Here  in  California, 
where  they  are  so  common,  we  are  apt  to  lose 
some  of  the  idea  of  their  exceeding  beauty,  but 
in  truth,  they  are  crystallized  rainbows,  rich  in 
all  the  tints  of  the  spectrum. 

In  a  commercial  point  of  view,  these  shells  are 
becoming  of  more  and  more  value,  vast  quanti- 
ties of  them  being  worked  into  buttons,  jewelry. 
inlaid  and  ornamental  work. 


TIALIOTIS.  35 

Ilaliotis  Cmcherodii,  Loach,  commonly  called 
the  Black  Abalone,  Fig.  1,  PI.  IX,  isthe'snialler 
and  more  abundant  of  tlie  two  species.  It  may 
be  found  from  one-fourth  of  an  inch,  to  six  inches 
in  length.  The  back  is  quite  smooth,  marked 
only  by  lines  of  growth  ;  spire,  very  short ;  aper- 
ture, very  large;  holes,  five  to  nine  ;  color,  dark 
greenish  black  without,  pearly  within.  It  may 
easily  be  found  clinging  to  the  rocks  by  its  broad 
foot;  and  when  examined  alive,  in  the  water,  its 
black  fringed  mantle,  stalked  eyes,  and  slender 
tentacles  are  most  interesting  for  study.  Note 
in  the  shell  the  strong  central  scar,  showing 
where  the  muscle  of  the  foot  was  attached  to  the 
shell. 

The  Red  Abalone,  Ilaliotis  ntfescens,  Swains  , 
Fig.  2,  PI.  IX,  sometimes  grows  to  a  length  ot 
nine  inches.  Outer  coat,  red,  projecting  over  the 
inner,  pearly  layers, and  giving  the  shell  a  red  edge. 
Back,  somewhat  roughened,  often  overgrown 
with  vegetation  ;  holes,  commonly  three  in  num- 
ber; muscular  impression,  prominent.  Great 
numbers  of  these  shells  in  a  partly  decayed  con- 
dition, may  be  found  in  the  Indian  shell  heaps 
along  the  coast.  These  may  be  gathered  and 
pulverized  to  form  the  pearl  powder  used  in  or- 
namenting boxes,  and  frames. 

Ilaliotis  splendens,  Rve.,  is  a  more  southern 
species,  found  below  tide,  on  rocks.  It  is  more 
flat,  thin,  and  grooved,  and  beautifully  lustrous 
within.  It  has  4 — 7  holes.  Ilaliotis  corruf/ata, 
Gray,  also  lives  below  tide.  It  is  large,  arched, 
very  rough  and  corrugated  ;  holes  3 — 5.  Fishes 


36  CALIFORNIA      SEA-SHELLS. 

eat  the  deep  water  species,  and  perfect  shells  may 
sometimes  be  found  in  their  stomachs. 

The  coast  of  California  abounds  in  limpets ; 
they  may  be  found  in  countless  numbers  clinging 
to  the  rocks,  their  cup-shaped  shells  protecting 
their  soft  bodies  from  injury.  They  crawl  along 
the  surface  of  the  rock,  and  many  of  them,  like 
the  famous  birds,  "  come  home  to  roost."  Some 
old  ones  may  be  found  settled  some  little  dis- 
tance into  that  spot  on  the  rock  which  has  long 
been  their  home ;  sometimes  the  roost  is  on  the 
shell  of  another  limpet,  which  becomes  indent- 
ed in  the  same  manner.  We  will  first  note  those 
which  have  a  hole  in  the  shell,  and  are  thus  con- 
nected with  the  preceding  genus.  Lucapina 
crenulata^  Sby.,  Fig.  4,  Pi.  IX,  is  a  )huge  mol- 
lusk,  six  inches  or  more  in  length.  It  is  brick- 
shaped,  with  a  broad  yellow  foot,  black  mantle, 
and  has  a  shell  on  the  back,  largely  concealed  by 
the  folds  of  the  mantle,  This  shell,  shown  in 
the  figure,  is  marked  by  radiating  ribs,  crenulat- 
ed  edge,  oblong  hole,  and  concentric  lines  of 
growth.  Internally,  it  is  of  a  pure,  glossy  white, 
with  a  thick  rim  of  enamel  around  the  hole. 
This  mollusk  is  not  abundant. 

The  next  Key-hole  Limpet,  Fissurella  volca- 
no,  Eve,  Fig.  3,  PL  IX,  has  a  very  suggestive 
name.  It  is  of  an  oblong,  conical  form,  smooth- 
ish,  about  an  inch  in  length,  with  red  stripes 
running  from  the  fissure  to  the  edge,  resembling 
streams  of  hot  lava  from  a  crater.  It  may  occa 
sionally  be  found  living  at  very  low  water.  Gly- 
phis  aspera,  Esch.,  is  larger,  with  a  small,  oval 
hole;  white,  with  some  color  rays;  very  rough  and 


SLIPPER  -  SHELL.  37 

coarsely  sculptured .  Glyphis  densidathrata, 
Rve.,  is  small,  white,  oval,  with  fine,  close  sculp- 
turing. Gadiniaradiata,  Cpr.,  has  no  hole.  It 
is  circular,  low  conical,  pure  white,  finely  sculp- 
tured, with  radiating  ribs,  and  concentric  lines 
of  growth.  Its  breadth  is  one-half 'of  an  inch. 

The  Slipper-shells  are  provided  with  a  shelly 
partition,  partly  shutting  off  the  ap(x  from  the 
aperture.  We  haves  two  very  common  species, 
the  first  of  which  is  Crepidula  adunca^  Sby., 
Hooked  Slipper-shell,  Fig.  5,  PI.  IX.  The  apex 
is  strongly  recurved;  the  aperture  is  oval  arid 
variously  distorted  to  fit  the  surface  on  which 
the  animal  roosts.  Its  color  is  brown,  sometimes 
mottled,  with  a  white  partition  inside.  Its 
length  is  from  one  half  to  a  whole  inch.  It  may 
be  found  between  tides,  on  rocks  and  shells. 
The  White  Slipper-shell,  Crepidul&navicelloides, 
Nutt.,  is  flattened,  boat-shaped,  with  a  deck 
half  way  across.  It  is  very  variable  in  shape, 
adapting  ifself  to  circumstances.  Small,  smooth 
specimens  inhabit  d^ad  univalve  shells,  while 
rough,  large  ones  may  be  found  on  the  rocks. 
Color,  white;  length,  same  as  last  species. 

Cruc'ibidum  spinosum,  Sby.,  '4  Cup  and  Sau- 
cer Limpet,"  is  a  more  southern  species.  The 
saucer  is  limpet-shaped,  brownish,  set  with 
many  points  or  spines.  Within,  instead  of  a 
deck,  as  in  the  last  species,  is  a  little  triangular 
cup,  fastened  near  the  apex.  Size,  from  half  an 
inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half. 

IRpponyx  cranioides,  Cpr.,  Fig.  1,  PI.  X, 
takes  its  name  from  its  resemblance  in  shape  to 
a  horse's  hoof.  The  horse-shoe  shaped  muscular 


33  CALIFORNIA    SEA-SHELLS. 

scar,  within  the  shell,  is  very  evident.  This 
species  is  thick  and  solid,  white,  more  or  less  flat- 
tened and  distorted,  with  rough  lines  of  growth 
and  indistinct  radiations.  'Breadth,  from  one- 
half  to  three-quarters  of  an  inch.  The  members 
of  this  genus  build  a  shelly  layer  under  the  foot, 
which  also  shows  the  peculiar  muscle-scar. 
There  is  a  good  deal  of  uncertainty  respecting 
the  number  of  our  California  species,  as  they  are 
variable  in  appearance  in  the  different  stages  of 
growth,  and  different  species  appear  to  run  into 
each  other.  These  doubtful  questions  present 
a  good  iield  for  study. 

Scwrriamtira,  Esch.,  Fig.  2,  PI.  X,  has  a  pure 
white,  conical  shell,  which  is  sometimes  worn  as 
the  drop  of  an  ear-ring.  It  is  said  to  live  on  the 
roots  of  sea  weeds.  I  found  one  living  specimen 
on  a  rock,  at  extreme  low  tide.  It  can  easily  be 
distinguished  from  other  shells,  by  its  sharp  con- 
ical form,  pure  white  color,  and  nearly  circular 
outline.  Dead  shells  are  common  on  the  beach  ; 
common  length,  one  inch. 

Nacella  incessa,  Hds.,  Sea-weed  Limpet,  Fig. 
3,  PI.  X,  lives  on  sea-weeds.  It  is  oblong,  coni- 
cal, horny  in  appearance,  brown,  thin,  one-half 
to  three-fourths  ot  an  inch  in  length. 

Most  of  the  limpets  live  near  the  shore,  be- 
tween high  and  low  water  marks.  Almost  all  of 
our  species  may  be  collected  with  moderate 
pains;  many  of  thorn  are  very  pretty,  and  they 
have  one  advantage  for  the  collector,  namely, 
they  are  easily  cleaned.  They  may  be  dislodged 
from  the  rock  by  a  sudden  lift,  with  a  broad  blad- 
ed  knife,  but  if  previously  disturbed,  they  cling 


LIMPETS.  39 

with  great  force,  and  submit  to  have  their  shells 
broken  before  they  will  yield.  In  some  countries 
they  are  eaten,  and  also  vast  numbers  are  gath- 
ered as  bait  by  the  fishermen.  Notice  carefully 
the  broad  foot,  the  mantle  and  gills,  the  short 
head  and  tentacles,  and  the  horse-shoe  shaped 
muscular  impression,  inside  the  shell. 

Acmaa  patina,  Esch.,  Plate  Limpet,  Fig.  6. 
PI.  X,  is  oval,  flattened,  with  the  apex  nearly 
central,  and  more  or  less  distinct,  radiating  striae. 
Externally  it  is  dark,  often  overgrown  with  moss 
&c;  internally,  near  the  edge,  there  is  a  dark 
rin<r;  often  broken  into  blocks,  then  a  broad,  blue- 
white  enameled  space,  and  within  the  muscular 
impression  is  a  patch  of  brown.  Length  of  shell, 
one  to  two  inches. 

Acmtm  pelta,  Esch  ,  Shield  Limpet,  Fig.  4, 
PI.  X,  is  more  conical  and  pointed,,  with  about 
25  blunt  ribs,  sometimes  obsolete.  The  outside 
is  brownish  or  striped ;  the  inside  white,  with  a 
narrow,  dark  thread  round  the  edge,  and  a  brown 
patch  in  the  center.  At  Duxbury  lieef,  in  Marin 
Co.,  I  found  some  old  specimens,  with  very  thick 
shells,  living  in  deep  depressions  which  they  had 
made  in  the  rock.  A  small,  black,  conical  shell, 
supposed  by  Carpenter  to  bean  abnormal  growth 
of  the  young  of  this  species,  is  now  known  as 
Acmma  Asmi,  Midd. 

Acmcea  persona,  Esch.,  Mask  Limpet,  Fig.  5, 
PI.  X,  can  easily  be  distinguished  from  the  pre- 
ceding species,  by  the  posterior  position  of  the 
a}: ex.  The  ribs  on  the  front  of  the.  shell  are 
prominent,  but  rough  and  irregular.  Its  outside 
color  is  brownish,  or  mottled;  internally  it  resem- 


4-0  CALIFORNIA    SEA  SHELLS. 

lies  A.  pelta,  with  a  wider  border  round  the 
margin.  This  shell  seldom  grows  more  than 
an  inch  in  .length,  and  is  often  smaller. 

Acmcea  spectrum,  Nutt.,  Fig.  7,  PL  .X,  is  a 
small  species,  frequently  found  growing  on  the 
shells  of  other  species.  It  is  flattened,  with  very 
strong,  irregular  n'bs,  which  project  so  as  to  give 
it  a  serrate  edge.  It  is  of  a  gray  color  outside, 
and  the  inner  surface  is  irregularly  marked  with 
black  and  white.  --7 

Loitia  gigantea,  Gray.,  Fig.  1,  PI.  IX,  is  a 
fine  species,  dirty  brown  or  spotted  outside,  but 
within  it  is  of  a  very  dark  and  glossy  brown, 
with  a  distinct,  long,  horse-shoe  shaped  muscular 
impression.  The  shell  is  long,  and  flattened, 
with  the  apex  near  one  end.  Length,  one  to 
three  inches. 

The  Chitons  are  very  strange  animals,  some- 
what resembling  limpets  in  shape,  and  like  them 
clinging  to  the  rocks  by  a  broad,  flat  foot. 
Their  shells,  however,  are  not  single,  but  com- 
posed of  eight  plates,  which  overlap  like  the 
scales  on  a  coat  of  mail.  These  plates  are  sur- 
rounded and  partly  covered  by  a  muscular  man- 
tle, which  is  often  fringed  and  ornamented.  In 
their  early  life  the  young  chitons  have  little  re- 
semblance to  the  more  adult  forms,  for  then  they 
consist  of  only  two  parts,  head  and  body.  Grad- 
ually the  body  becomes  covered  with  seven 
plates,  and  the  head  takes  shape  and  developed 
the  eighth.  Chitons  are  a  very  inoffensive  class 
of  animals,  and  like  to  live  in  retired  places, 
especially  under  stones.  Our  species  are  quite 
numerous,  but  we  will  mention  cnly  those  which 


PLATE    X. 


p 


PLATE      XI . 


CHITONS.  41 

are  most  lik'  1  y  to  be  met  with  by  those  who 
read  this  little  book. 

Ischnochiton  Magdalensis,  lids..  Fig.  3,  PL 
XT,  Lean  Chiton,  isfvery  common,  and  may  be 
found  abundantly  by  turning  over  stones  at  low 
tide.  It  is  long  and  lean,  as  its  name  implies. 
The  valves  are  light  colored,  spotted  without,  and 
wh'te  within.  The  grayish  mantle  is  set  with 
minute  scales.  It  varies  in  length  from  one  to 
three  incites. 

Mopalia  muscosa,  Gld.,  Fig.  4,  PI.  XI,  Mossy 
Chiton,  is  common  all  along  the*  west  coast  of 
the  United  States.  It  is  more  compact  than  the 
last  species  and  the  plates  are  more  highly  sculp- 
tured. The  mantle  is  set  with  strong  hairs  or 
points,  like  a  chestnut  bur.  Outside,  its  color 
is  dark,  but  within  the  valves  are  of  a  light  green. 
Length,  two  inches. 

The  large  chiton  shown  in  Fig.  5,  PI.  XI,  was 
named  Katherina  Doglasice  by  Dr.  Gray  of  the 
British  Museum,  in  honor  of  Lady  Khtherine 
Douglass,  who  first  sent  a  specimen  to  that  in- 
stitution. It  is  now  called  Katherina  tunicata, 
Sby.,  an  older  specific  name  having  been  discov- 
ered and  applied.  If  we  were  to  put  her  lady- 
ship's rather  lengthy  name  into  familiar  Erglish, 
we  could  do  no  better,  perhaps,  than  to  call  this 
famous  mollusk,  the  Black  Katy.  Its  form  is 
well  shown  in  the  figure,  long  and  oval.  The 
mantle  is  black  .and  heavy,*nearly  covering  the 
white  shell-plates  ;  the  foot  is  reddish  ;  common 
length,  two  to  three  inches.  If  may  bp  found 
on  the  rocks  at  the  entrance  to  the  Golden  Gate, 
when  the  tide  is  low,  but  its  peculiar  home  is 


42  CALIFORNIA     SEA-SHELLS. 

farther  northward,  on  the  Oregon  coast,  and 
even  about  Sitka.  And  here  we  may  say  that 
a  large  number  of  the  descriptions  contained  in 
this  little  book  apply  as  well  to  the  shells  of  Or- 
egon and  Washington  Ty.,  as  to  California.  Some 
of  the  species  are  much  finer  on  the  northern 
coasts,  than  on  our  own.  Tonicia  lineata,  Wood, 
Painted  Chiton,  (not  figured),  is  a  small  species, 
about  an  inch  in  length,  with  smooth  and  naked 
mantle,  and  eight  polished  valves,  beautifully 
striped  and  painted.  The  chief  color  is  orange, 
and  the  markings  are  white  and  dark  reddish 
brown.  Within,  the  valves  are  white,  shaded 
with  orange.  Living  specirners  are  found  at 
very  low  water,  but  single  red  valves  are  often 
washed  ashore. 

White,  butterfly  -  shaped  shelly  plates  may 
often  be  picked  up  among  the  rocks,  from  one  to 
two  inches  in  length  ;  and  from  their  singular 
appearance  they  have  been  called  "  Butterfly 
Shells."  They  are,  really,  single  valves  washed 
from  the  dead  body  of  the  Giant  Chiton,  Cryp- 
lochiton  Stelleri,  Midd.,  a  huge  mollusk  some- 
times found  entire.  It  is  six  inches  in  length, 
and  three  in  breadth ;  the  white  valves  are 
wholly  concealed  beneath  the  reddish  brown, 
hard,  gritty  mantle,  which  covers  the  whole 
back  of  the  animal.  Thus  the  mystery  of  the 
"  Butterfly  Shells  "  is  explained,  and  they  be- 
come of  more  interest,  since  we  know  their  true 
origin. 

The  little  shell  shown  in  Fig.  2,  PI.  XI,  be- 
longs to  the  sub-class  which  also  includes  the 
Bubble-shells,  and  the  Sea-slugs,  or  naked  mol- 


BUBBLE  -  SHELL.  43 

lusks.  Some  of  the  latter  may  be  caught  at  low 
water,  and  they  show  very  fine  colors  and  paint- 
ing. This  species  is  named  Tornatella punctocce- 
lata,  Cpr.,  and  from  its  peculiar  stripes  is  com- 
monly called  the  Barrel-shell.  It  is  about  one 
half  an  inch  in  length,  oval,  very  few  whorled, 
with  a  fold  on  the  columella,  pure  white,  with 
two  series  of  fine,  black,  spiral  bands. 

Bulla  nebidosa,  Gld.,  Clouded  Bubble-shell, 
Fig.  6,  PI.  XI,  is  a  large,  thin,  globular  shell, 
abounding  in  southern  waters.  Its  color  is 
brown,  mottled  with  black  and  yellow  clouds. 
The  spire  is  depressed,  leaving  a  hole ;  length, 
one  to  two  inches. 

Haminea  vesicula,  Gld.,  White  Bubble-shell, 
resembles  the  last  in  form,  but  is  smaller,  nearly 
white,  very  thin  and  delicate.  This  species 
lives  in  slimy  mud,  and  eats  animal  substances. 

With  this  shell  we  must  take  leave  of  the  Gas- 
teropods  and  turn  our  attention  to  the  less 
highly  organized,  but  equally  interesting  La- 
mellibranchs. 


THE  OYSTER.  45 

olivaceous,  and  sometimes  stained  with  purple. 
The  Eastern  Oyster,  Ostrea  virginiana,  is  the 
common  exotic  species.  They  are  brought  here 
by  the  car  load,  when  young,  and  planted  in  the 
shallow  waters  of  San  Francisco  Bay.  They 
mature  in  from  one  to  three  years,  and  though 
they  thrive  in  our  bays  ;  very  few  of  their  ova 
develop,  probably  on  account  of  the  coldness  of 
the  water. 

Somewhat  resembling  the  oyster,  is  the  cu- 
rious genus  of  which  we  have  one  representa- 
tive, Anomia  lampey  Gray.  The  shells  are  thin 
and  translucent,  silvery  or  golden.  The  lower 
valve  is  Hat  and  pierced  by  a  hole;  the  upper 
valve  is  arched  and  marked  by  several  muscular 
impressions.  This  species  is  generally  found  in 
southern  waters  and  on  the  coast  of  Mexico,  but 
I  found  one  living  specimen  at  -Monterey.  The 
shells  are  somewhat  circular  in  form,  about  an 
inch  and  a  half  in  diameter.  A  more  northern 
species  belonging  to  this  family  is  Placuanomia 
macroschisma,  Desh.,  Fig.  1,  PI.  XII,  gives  an 
internal  view  of  the  upper  valve  of  one  speci- 
men, showing  the  curious  star-shaped  muscular 
impression,  with  a  smaller  one  below  it.  The 
form  of  the  shell  varies  very  greatly,  though  its 
normal  shape  is  circular.  The  under  valve  is 
pierced,  and  both  of  them  are  strong,  pearly 
within,  and  of  a  greenish  white  color.  It  some- 
times grows  to  the  size  of  a  large  oyster.  It  can 
always  be  recognized  by  the  muscular  impress- 
ion, which  looks  like  the  imprint  of  a  se#l. 

Of  the  pretty   Comb-shells  or   Scallops,  there 
is  a  good  deal  of  variety  in  form  and  color.     We 


46  CALIFORNIA    SEA  SHELLS. 

venture  however  to  illustrate  two  species,  trust- 
ing that  the  student  will  carefully  notice  the  ine- 
quality of  the  ears  of  the  shell,  and  especially 
the  little  notch  beneath  one  ear,  through  which 
the  animal  moors  itself  at  times,  by  a  series  of 
threads,  called  byssus, 

Pecten  cequisulcatus,  Cpr.,  Fig.  2,  PI.  XII,  is 
an  inch  or  two  in  diameter,  strong,  full,  brown- 
ish, and  marked  by  about  twenty  equal  ribs. 

Pecten  latiauritus,  Conr.,  Fig.  3,  PI.  XII,  is 
very  thin  and  delicate,  having  about  iii'teen 
rounded  ribs.  The  ears  are  broad  and  unequal, 
the  shells  but  little  arched,  while  the  color  is 
brown,  variously  mottled  with  white  like  the 
feathers  of  a  hen  ;  size,  from  one-half  to  one  inch 
in  diameter.  These  little  shells  live  attached  to 
sea-weed  ;  occasionally  a  storm  tears  up  the  weed 
and  washes  it  ashore,  thickly  studded  with  these 
little  beauties. 

Pecten  hastatus,  Sby.,  is  a  much  larger  and 
stronger  shell,  elongated,  with  very  unequal  ears, 
many  line,  and  a  lew  prominent  ribs.  Color, 
pinkish. 

We  now  come  to  a  notable  California  species, 
Ilinnites  giganteus,  Gray,  Fig.  4,  PI.  XII,  some- 
times called  the  Rock-oyster.  In  its  early  life 
it  has  a  free,  symmetrical  shell  looking  like  a 
Pecten.  It  is  then  distinguished  by  its  very  un- 
equal ears,  and  the  twelve  prominent,  serrate  ribs 
on  the  upper  valve.  It  soon  settles  down  for 
life  in  some  convenient  and  sheltered  spot,  such 
as  the  inside  of  an  old  Haliotis  shell,  fastens  its 
lower  valve  to  this  support,  and  yields  itself  up 


MUSSELS. 


to  circumstances.  It  soon  looses  its  regularity 
of  form,  and  becomes  oyster-shaped  ;  sometimes 
developing  one  valve  and  sometimes  the  other, 
as  opportunity  offers ;  twisting  itself  to  the  right 
or  left,  and  becoming  so  distorted  that  it  seems 
to  have  wholly  forgotten  its  youthful  grace.  In 
color,  it  varies  from  yellow  to  brown,  on  the  out- 
side; while  within,  it  is  pure  white,  with  a  rich 
purple  area  at  the  hinge  line.  This  purple  color 
is  very  permanent,  and  fragments  of  shells  may 
often  be  found,  still  showing  it;  the  ligament  is  in- 
ternal, in  a  deep,  narrow  pit ;  the  muscular  im- 
pression is  smooth,  and  very  large.  This  species 
sometimes  grows  to  the  size  of  a  large  oyster ;  it 
is  occasionally  cast  up  alive  from  ctaep  water, 
but  dead  shells  are  much  more  common. 

The  last  shell  of  this  group  which  we  shall 
mention  is  Lima  orientalis,  Ad.  &  Eve.,  File- 
shell,  an  inside  view  of  which  is  shown  in  Fig. 
5,  PI.  XII.  This  little  shell  is  pure  white,  and 
is  thrown  up  from  the  sea  attached  to  sea-weed. 
The  valves  are  obliquely  oval,  thin,  gaping,  and 
sculptured  like  a  file  ;  length,  three-fourths  of  an 
inch. 

Mytilus  edulis.  Linn.,  is  the  common  mussel, 
known  to  every  one.  Spinning  its  strong,  horny 
byssus,  it  attaches  itself  to  rocks,  posts,  and 
wharves,  in  countless  numbers.  Its  smooth,  dark 
purple  shell  and  orange  colored  soft  parts  are 
too  well  known  to  need  description.  The  com- 
mon length  is  two  inches. 

Mytilus  Calif ornianus,  Conr.,  Fig*  6,  PI. 
XII,  is  found  covering  the  rocks  over  which  the 
breakers  dash  the  wildest.  Moored  by  its  strong 


48  CALIFORNIA    SEA  SHELLS. 

anchor,  it  enjoys  the  rush  of  air  and  water,  arid 
fears  no  danger.  This  species  can  easily  be  dis- 
tinguished from  the  last  by  its  brown,  glossy 
epidermis  and  conspicuous  ribs.  The  shell  is 
purple,  but  more  or  less  whitish.  Some  old 
specimens,  with  nearly  obsolete  ribs,  grow  to  a 
length  of  eight  or  ten  inches.  The  soft  p?,rts 
are  orange  colored,  and  are  frequently  eaten. 

Resembling  the  mussels  are  the  Modiolas, 
several  species  of  which  are  found  on  the  coast. 
The  shells  are  bulged  near  the  hinge  line,  and 
extend  beyond  the  umbo  on  one  side.  Modiola 
capax,  Conr.,  is  covered  with  a  glossy,  brown 
epidermis,  mossy  in  parts.  The  animal  binds 
itself  by  a  strong  byssus,  and  seems  to  seek  se- 
cluded places  under  stones,  where  it  can  be  found 
at  low  tide.  Modiola  recta,  Conr.,  is  "  long, 
thin,  narrow  and  angular,  with  chafi-like  hairs." 

Among  the  difficult  things  to  explain  is  the 
fact  that  a  mollusk,  with  a  thin,  flexible  shell, 
can  bore  a  deep  hole  into  hard  rock.  That  this 
is  done,  however,  can  be  proved  bv  any  one  who 
will  examine  the  work  of  the  Pea-pod  Shell, 
Adula  falcata,  Old.,  Fi<r.  I,  PL  XIII.  The 
shell  is  long,  narrow  and  slightly  curved  ;  the  in- 
side is  white  and  pearly,  while  the  outside  is  cov- 
ered with  a  dark  chestnut  epidermis,  which  has 
numerous  transverse  wrinkles.  I  found  the  rocks 
of  Duxbury  Raef,  at  Bolinas,  almost  alive  with 
this  and  other  borers.  The  deep,  narrow  holes 
are  curved  to  fit  the  shell,  and  the  animal  also 
spins  a  byssus,  which  it  attaches  to  the  sides  of 
its  burrow  ;  length,  two  inches.  Adula  stylina, 


PLATE      XIII. 


m 

l!     I 


Or  J-ji> 


CITAMA.  49 

Cpr.,  probably  a  variety  of  this  species,  is  shorter 
and  broader,  with  a  glossy  epidermis.  It  may 
be  found  near  the  entrance  to  the  Golden  Gate. 

Another  mussel-like  shell,  shown  in  Fig.  2,  PI, 
XIII,  is  Septifer  bifurcatus.  Eve.  Its  generic 
name,  "  partition  bearer,"  was  given  from  the 
fact  that  a  little,  internal,  shelly  partition 
stretches  across  each  valve  at  the  apex ;  while 
the  specific  name,  "  two-forked,"  refers  to  the  ex- 
ternal ribs  by  which  the  shell  is  marked,  which 
often  divide  into  two.  It  is  strong,  white  and 
nacreous  within,  and  covered  with  a  dark  epi- 
dermis without ;  the  average  length  is  one  inch. 
It  may  be  found,  at  low  tide,  attached  to  the 
rocks  by  a  byssus. 

The  next  species,  Chama  pellucida,  Sby.,  an 
internal  view  of  which  is  shown  in  Fig.  3,  PL 
XIII,  might  easily  be  overlooked  when  it  is  firm- 
ly fastened  to  a  rock.  The  outer  surface  is  gray 
or  greenish,  sometimes  dashed  with  rosy  red, 
very  rough,  and  marked  by  many  close  frills, 
which  are  translucent,  like  chalcedony.  The 
hinge  tooth  is  very  strong,  and  the  inside  is  lined 
with  a  white,  opaque  layer,  beautifully  crenulated 
at  the  edge.  It  grows  from  one  to  two  inches  in 
diameter,  and  may  be  found  at  low  tide,  firmly 
grown  to  the  rocks,  which  must  be  broken  to  get 
the  entire  shell.  The  name  "  Chama,"  is  very 
old,  having  been  mentioned  by  Pliny. 

Quite  unlike  the  Cham  as  are  the  Cockles,  or 
Heart-shells.  Beautiful  in  outline,  regular  in 
growth,  and  free  to  move,  they  but  little  resem- 
ble their  irregular,  Imp-hazard,  stationary  neigh- 
bors. The  animal  has  a  remarkably  long  foot, 


50  CALIFORNIA      SEA-SHELLS. 

with  which  it  can  dig  or  jump.  Their  siphons 
are  short,  so  they  live  near  the  surface ;  they  pre- 
fer sandy  bays,  with  shallow  water.  Cardium 
corbis,  Mart.,  Fig.  4,  PI.  XIII,  is  occasionally 
found  in  San  Francisco  markets.  It  is  very  full 
and  round,  and  varies  from  one  to  three  inches  in 
length.  The  ribs  are  slightly  scaly,  and  number 
about  thirty.  There  is  a  sharp  cardinal  tooth, 
and  two  laterals  quite  distant  from  the  umbo. 
Muscular  impressions,  two ;  no  pallial  sinus ; 
edge,  strongly  toothed  ;  color,  whitish  or  light 
brown.  Large  broken  shells  are  often  found  on 
the  beach  near  the  Cliff  House. 

Liocardium  substriatum,  Conr.,  is  a  smooth 
little  Heart-shell  from  the  southern  part  of  the 
State.  It  is  half  an  inch  long,  of  a  light  drab 
color,  dotted  with  yellow.  Very  fine  lines  of 
growth  may  be  observed  with  a  glass,  from  which 
circumstance  it  takes  its  name.  It  very  much 
resembles  a  sparrow's  egg.  Liocardium  datum, 
Sby.,  is  a  very  large,  smooth,  yellowish  Cockle 
from  the  region  of  San  Diego. 

A  pure  white  shell,  regularly  marked  by  fine, 
concentric  lines  is  shown  in  Fig.  5,  PI.  XIII, 
and  is  known  as  Lucina  Californica,  Conr.  In 
shape  it  is  nearly  circular,  and  varies  from  the 
size  of  a  dime  to  that  of  a  half  dollar ;  the  car- 
dinal teeth  are  small,  while  the  lateral  ones  are 
strong.  The  ligament  is  external,  and  the  small 
lunule  belongs  wholly  to  the  right  valve.  The 
anterior  muscular  impression  is  long  and  narrow, 
and  the  pallial  line  is  entire.  The  pure  white- 
ness, symmetrical  form,  and  regular  markings 
make  this  a  very  pleasing  shell.  It  can  often  be 


TRIANGLE  -  SHELL.  5 1 

found  on  the  beach,  thrown  up  by  the  waves. 

The  Kelly-shell,  Kellia  Laperousii,  Desh., 
shown  in  Fig.  6,  PI.  XIII,  belongs  to  a  little 
mollusk  which  shelters  itself  in  clefts  and  holes, 
as  the  shell  is  thin  and  delicate.  It  has  been 
mistaken  for  a  borer,  and  it  frequently  lives  in 
the  empty  holes  of  boring  mollusks.  The  shell 
is  smooth,  oval,  and  light  brown  in  color.  It 
has  one  lateral  and  two  cardinal  hinge  teeth, 
with  a  ligament  between  them. 

A  pretty  little  shell,  not  half  an  inch  long, 
may  sometimes  be  found  fastened  to  the  rocks 
in  concealed  places.  An  enlarged  figure  of  it  is 
shown  in  Fig.  7,  PI.  XIII ;  it  is  called  La- 
zaria  subquadrata,  Cpr.  It  is  strong,  full,  and 
marked  by  fifteen  strong,  rounded  ribs,  radiating 
from  one  angle  ot  the  four-sided  shell.  Its  color 
is  white,  variously  marked  with  brown  spots.  It 
is  used  in  ornamenting  shell  frames. 

Chione  simillima,  Sby.,  is  found  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  the  State.  Its  length  is  two  inches, 
and  its  breadth  is  nearly  the  same.  The  valves 
are  very  stiong  and  thick,  finely  sculptured  in 
two  directions ;  the  radial  lines  are  rounded,  and 
the  concentric  ones  are  thin  and  sharp.  Heart- 
shaped  lunule,  conspicuous ;  ligament,  external, 
at  the  base  of  a  broad  depression ;  cardinal  teeth, 
strong,  three  in  number ;  pallial  lines,  entire ; 
color,  brownish  white,  deeply  stained  inside  with 
purple ;  edge,  slightly  crenulated. 


• 

31 

A 


52 


CHAPTER  VI. 

DESCKirTION   OF  ^BIVALVE    SHELLS,   CONCLUDED. 

Pachydesma  (Trigona)  crassatelloides,  Conr.. 
Triangle-shell,  Fig.  1,  PI  XIV,  has  a  ponderous 
shell,  sometimes  growing  to  £reat  size.  The 
pair  of  valves  from  which  the  figure  was  drawn 
are  five  and  one  half  inches  in  length,  and  weigh 
over  a  pound.  They  are  very  thick  and  solid, 
beautifully  white  internally,  with  purple  muscu- 
lar impressions.  The  outside  is  yellowish  white, 
partly  covered  by  a  glossy  epidermis,  and  some- 
times marked  by  radiating  stripes.  The  edges  of 
the  shell  are  smooth  and  rounded;  the  hinge 
teeth  are  very  strong,  consisting  of  three  cardin- 
al and  one  lateral ;  the  ligament  is  external  and 
bulged  ;  the  pallial  sinus,  small.  This  great 
moll  u  sk  is  sometimes  dug  up  from  its  home  and 
used  for  focd. 

Another  strong,  thick  shell,  though  not  so 
large  as  the  last,  is  Saxidomus  Nuttallii,  Conr., 
Fig.  2,  PI.  XIV,  NuttalPs  Rock-clam.  It  some- 
times grows  to  a  length  of  four  inches.  The  out- 
side is  of  a  dirty  white,  and  is  marked  by 
numerous  irregular,  concentric,  ridges.  The  in- 
terior is  white,  and  the  thick  part  below  the 
external  ligament  is  translucent  like  agate.  The 


PLATE     XIV. 

1 


CABPET-SHELL  53 

pallial  sinus  is  very  deep,  and  the  posterior  end 
of  the  shell  is  slightly  gaping. 

In  all  the  markets  of  San  Francisco  may  be 
found  excellent  specimens  of  the  next  species, 
Tapes  staminea^  Conr.,  Carpet-shell,  shown  in 
Fig.  3,  PI.  XIV.  It  is  known  among  the  market 
men  as- the  u  Hard-shelled  Clam."  Tomales  Bay 
furnishes  a  good  part  of  the  supply,  bulb  it  abounds 
all  along  the  coast.  The  valves  are  rounded, 
full,  strong,  and  marked  by  numerous  narrow  ra- 
diating ribs,  which  are  cut  by  successive  lines 
of  growth.  It  has  three  strongly  locked  cardi- 
nal hinge-teeth  and  an  external  ligament ;  the 
pallaial  sinus  reaches  to  the  middle  of  the  shell. 
The  outside  of  some  varieties  is  very  prettily 
marked  by  reddish  brown  chevrons  ;  others  are 
nearly  pure  white.  These  mollusks  burrow  in 
stony  places,  and  can  be  dug  out  when  the  tide 
is  low.  Length,  one  to  three  inches. 

Fig.  5,  PI.  XIY,  represents  one  of  the  most 
graceful  of  our  bivalve  shells,  named  Amiantis 
eallosa,  Conr.,  It  is  pure  white,  full  in  the  center 
but  quite  thin  at  the  edges.  Its  sculpturing  con- 
sists of  many  re  uncled,  concentric  lines,  equal  in 
size  to  the  intervening  grooves.  There  are  no 
radial  markings  whatever.  The  lunule  is  small, 
set  beneath  the  prominent  umbones.  Ligament, 
external ;  pallial  sinus,  moderate  ;  hinge,  with 
complicated  cardinal  and  strong,  short,  lateral 
teeth.  This  species  is  found  to  the  south,  and 
sometimes  is  several  inches  long  ;  common  length, 
twro  inches. 

Petricola  car  dito  ides,  Conr.,  is  a   Rock-shell, 


54  CALIFORNIA    SEA  SHELLS. 

as  its  name  indicates.  It  would  be  impossible 
to  give  a  figure  which  would  illustrate  all  its 
phases,  for  it  is  exceedingly  variable.  Normally, 
it  is  an  oval  little  shell,  with  regular  sculpturing. 
But  it  has  a  habit  of  getting  into  a  hole  in  the 
recks  and  growing  to  fit  the  premises ;  so  it  fre- 
quently is  much  distorted,  generally  growir.g 
long  and  narrow.  The  ligament  is  external ;  the 
hinge  teeth  often  become  nearly  obsolete,  as  well 
as  the  sculpturing,  and  the  shell  becomes  thick 
and  rough.  Color,  white ;  breadth,  from  one- 
half  to  three-fourths  oi  an  inch ;  length,  one  to 
two  inches. 

Tapes  tenerrima,  Cpr.,  Fig.  2,  PI.  I,  is  often 
four  or  five  inches  in  length.  It  is  thin,  flat,  and 
marked  by  innumerable  fine  radiating  lines,  and 
many  small  concentric  ridges.  The  cardinal  hinge 
teeth  are  near  the  anterior  extremity  of  the  shell ; 
the  ligament  is  long  and  external ;  the  pallial 
sinus  is  very  deep. : "  This  species  is  sometimes 
thrown  up  from  deep  water,  by  storms.  Its  color 
is  white,  somewhat  yellowish  in  places. 

Rupellaria  lamellifera,  Conr,,  Fig.  4,  PI.  XIV, 
is  a  nestler  among  rocks.  It  has  a  strong,  white 
shell  about  an  inch  in  length,  and  may  be  easily 
known  by  the  ten  or  twelve  large,  thin,  concen- 
tric laminae,  which  mark  its  sides.  It  has  no  ra- 
dial lines,  and  can  thus  be  distinguished  from 
the  variety  ruderata,  Desh.,  of  Tapes  s'.aminea. 

The  largest  of  all  that  class  of  mollusks  com- 
monly called  clams,  is  known  by  the  name  Schi- 
zothozrus  N^lttall^^,  Conr.,  though  by  some  it  is 
called  by  the  more  simple  term,  "  Washington 
Clam."  It  is  a  huge,  burrowing  mollusk,  some- 


WASHINGTON    CLAM.  55 

times  living  two  feet  below  the  surface  of  the 
mud.  For  such  a  situation  it  is  provided  with 
an  enormous  siphonal  tube  through  which  it 
pumps  water  from  above.  This  species  is  used  for 
food,  and  a  few  of  them  are  sufficient  for  an  ex- 
cellent chowder.  The  shell  is  oblong,  bulged, 
rather  thin,  and  gapes  widely  where  the  siphons 
pass.  The  hinge  teeth  are  small ;  the  ligament 
is  large,  internal,  and  lodged  in  a  triangular  pit. 
The  pallial  sinus  is  very  broad  and  deep,  the 
lower- part  of  it  joining  the  ventral  line.  Exter- 
nally the  shell  shows  only  rough  lines  of  growth, 
and  is  sometimes  covered  with  an  epidermis.  It 
delights  in  muddy  bays,  and  sometimes  grows 
to  a  length  of  ten  inches. 

The  Bodega  Tellen,  Tellina  Bodegensis,  Hinds, 
Fig.  1,  PL  XV,  is  a  very  pretty  sand-loving 
shell,  smooth,  thick,  and  heavy,  and  is  about  two 
inches  long.  The  surface  is  polished,  of  a 
Creamy  white  color,  and  marked  with  fine  con- 
centric lines.  The  posterior  extremity  of  the 
shell  is  narrow,  and  somewhat  bent  to  one  side. 
The  ligament  is  external,  the  hinge  teeth  are  *'ery 
small,  but  the  pallial  sinus  is  long  and  narrow. 
Old  specimens  show  a  tendency  to  thicken  the 
shell  from  the  inside. 

Fig.  2,  PL  XV,  represents  the  little  shell  so 
often  found  in  the  sand  near  the  Cliff  House, 
named  Macoma  inconspicua,  Br.  &  Sby.  It  is 
a  thin,  flat,  pinkish  little  shell,  about  half  an 
inch  long.  A  variety  is  white  and  larger. 

Macoma  secta,  Conr.,  has  a  very  thin,  white, 
plossy  shell,  sometimes  faintly  marked  with  red. 
The  ligament  is  short  and  strong  placed  just 


56  CALIFORNIA    SEA  SHELLS. 

back  of  the  umbo.  The  hinge  teeth  are  very, 
small,  and  the  pallial  sinus  extends  nearly  the 
whole  length  of  the  shell.  Behind  the  ligament, 
the  shell  narrows  into  a  short,  brownish  wing. 
The  length  varies  from  two  to  four  inches. 

Macoma  nasuta,  Conr.,  PI.  XV,  Fig.  3,  is  a 
very  common  species,  reaching  from  Kamtschatka 
to  Mexico.  It  is  abundant  in  Sari  Francisco  Bay, 
and  some  of  the  large  shell-mounds  of  the  aborig- 
inies,  on  the  shores  of  that  bay,  are  largely  com- 
posed of  the  valves  of  this  species.  It  inliabi's 
muddy  flats,  burrowing  quite  deeply,  and 
reaches  the  water  by  its  two,  small,  red  siphons. 
The  shell  is  smooth  and  thin  ;  the  posterior  part 
is  narrowed  and  twisted  to  one  side.  The  hinge 
teeth  are  small,  the  ligament  is  external,  and  the 
pallial  sinus  reaches  to  the  forward  muscular 
scar.  The  common  length  is  two  inches. 

The  Red-lined  Sand-shell,  Psarnmobia  rubro- 
radiata,  JSTutt.,  is  a  fine  shell,  represented  in  Fig, 
4,  PI.  XV.  The  figure  was  drawn  from  a  shell 
found  at  Monterey,  which  measures  two  and  one 
half*  inches  in  length.  The  outside  of  the  shell 
is  smooth  and  whitish,  marked  with  broad,  radi- 
ating, red  bands,  much  resembling  the  rays  of 
the  setting  sun.  The  inside  is  of  a  fine,  glos.-y 
white,  like  choice  porcelain.  Hinge  teeth,  small ; 
ligament,  external ;  sinus,  large. 

Sanguinolaria  NuMallii,  Conr.,  is  a  southern 
species.  The  shell  is  thin,  rounded  and  flatten- 
ed, covered  with  a  glossy,  dark  brown  epidermis, 
beneath  which  may  bo  seen  radiating  bands  of 
color.  Ligament,  lar^e  and  external ;  pallial 
length,  three  inchos. 


PLATE     XV. 


— 


RAZOR  -  SHELLS.  57 

Donax  Calif ornicus,  Conr.,  the  well-known 
Wedge  shell,  is  shown  in  Fig.  5,  PI.  XV.  It  is 
short  and  stumpy,  being  less  than  an  inch  in 
length.  It  varies  much  in  color,  sometimes 
being  nearly  white,  and  again,  striped  with 
bright  tints.  It  is  smooth,  marked  with  narrow 
radiations,  and  has  a  finely  crenulated  edge.  It 
abounds  on  the  sandy  beaches  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  State. 

The  true  Solens,  or  Razor-shells,  are  not  very 
numerous  on  the  coast  of  California,  but  are 
found  more  abundantly  in  the  vicinity  of  Puget 
Sound.  Solen  sicarius,  Old.,  is  our  best  repre- 
sentative of  this  curious  group  of  mollusks.  The 
shell  of  this  species  is  about  two  inches  long, 
nearly  straight,  and  gapes  widely  at  both  ends  ; 
it  is  thin  and  delicate,  and  is  covered  with  a 
glossy,  light  brown  epidermis.  The  hinge-teeth 
and  ligament  are  very  near  one  end  of  the  shell. 
The  Solens  are  active  burrowers,  and  not  easily 
surprised.  A  variety,  rosaceus,  of  this  species  is 
longer,  more  slender,  and  of  a  pinkish  color. 

Next  to  the  true  Solens,  comes  Soleciirtus  Col- 
ifornianus,  Conr.,  or  the  Short  Razor -shell, 
shown  in  Fig.  1,  PI,  XVI,  natural  size.  The 
epidermis  of  this  species  is  not  so  glossy  as  that 
of  the  last,  and  the  hinge  is  in  the  middle  of  the 
shell,  instead  of  being  at  one  end.  The  wrild 
ducks  love  to  find  a  colony  of  these  mollusks, 
and  greatly  enjoy  the  rich  feast. 

Resembling  the  former  species,  but  much 
larger,  is  the  beautiful  shell  shown  in  Fig/  6,  PI. 
X V ,  known  as  Mach&ra  patula,  Dixon.,  Flat 
Razor-shell.  It  grows  to  a  length  of  four  or  five 


58  CALIFORNIA    SEA  SHELLS. 

inches,  arid  is  covered  with  a  glossy,  rich  brown 
epidermis,  which  shields  the  thin  and  delicate 
shell.  The  hinge  area  is  strengthened  by  a  stout 
rib,  which  runs  nearly  across  the  shell.  This 
brace  presents  a  inoct  evident  mark  of  design,  for 
it  exactly  lits  its  purpose.  This  species  abounds 
in  the  north,  and  is  considered  delicious  food. 
Broken  shells  may  often  be  picked  up  near  the 
Cliff  House,  in  San  Francisco. 

Mya  arenaria,  Linn.,  well  kno\vn  in  the  mar- 
kets of  San  Francisco,  as  the  "  Soft-shelled 
Clam,"  is  not  a  native  of  this  fine  country,  but, 
like  the  Argonauts  of  1849,  it  came,  enjoyed, 
settled,  and  multiplied.  We  find  no  trace  of  its 
shells  in  the  old  Indian  mounds,  and  the  first  of 
the  species  were  doubtless  brought  with  Eastern 
oysters,  and  planted  in  San  Francisco  Bay.  Un- 
like the  oysters,  however,  the  Mya  has  reproduc- 
ed its  kind  with  startling  rapidity,  and  though 
it  is  only  seven  years  since  the  first  specimens 
were  discovered  in  our  waters,  they  might  now 
be  gathered  by  the  million.  Their  holes  may  be 
seen  all  over  the  muddy  flats,  when  the  tide  is 
out,  and  they  can  easily  be  captured  by  digging 
one  or  two  feet  deep.  Although  to  us  a  soli- 
tary position  in  the  depths  of  black  mud  would 
seem  the  acme  of  all  disagreeable  situations,  our 
friend,  M.  arenaria,  thrives  in  it  remarkably, 
and  is,  no  doubt,  "  as  happy  as  a  clam." 

The  shell  is  oblong,  thin  and  brittle,  gaping, 
whitish,  and  covered  near  the  edge  with  a  gray 
epidermis.  Its  most  conspicuous  peculiarity  is 
the  flat,  spoon-shaped  hinge-tooth,  in  the  bowl  of 
which  is  the  ligament. 


LYONSIA.  £9 

Closely  resembling  My  a  is  Platyodon  cancel- 
latus,  Conr.,  Fig.  2,  PL  XVI.  This  genus  is 
named  fr^iri  its  broad  h  in  ore-tooth,  which  is  not 
equal,  however,  to  that  of  Mya.  The  hinge  is 
near  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  shell,  which 
is  bulged  near  the  um bo.  Concentric  markings 
are  very  plain,  but  radial  lines  are  faint.  It  is 
found  abundantly  in  Bolinas  Bay.  Its  color  is 
white. 

Lyonsia  Cal!/ornica,  Conr.,  is  a  delicate  little 
shell,  an  inch  long,  which  is  sometimes  found 
washed  up  on  the  shores  of  San  Francisco  Bay, 
as  well  as  at  other  local ites  up  and  down  the 
coast.  It  is  oblong,  bulged  at  one  end,  and 
pearly  within.  The  outer  coat,  which  shows 
many  concentric  striae,  is  easily  rubbed  off, 
showing  the  pearly  layers. 

We  come,  lastly,  to  the  boring  shells,  or  Pid- 
docks.  These  mollusks  have  the  power  of  bor- 
ing holes  in  rocks  and  hardened  clay.  In  the 
cabinet  of  the  California  Academy  of  Sciences, 
may  be  seen  a  piece  of  brick  pierced  by  one  of 
thesa  borers.  This  shows  their  operations  are 
mechanical,  and  not  chemical.  It  is  now  pretty 
satisfactorily  ascertained  that  the  Piddock  bores 
his  hole  by  turning  his  shell  back  and  forth,  by 
means  of  his  strong  foot.  The  many  little 
points  and  ridges  en  the  front  of  the  shell  act 
like  the  teeth  of  a  tile,  and  gradually  wear  away 
the  hard  rock. 

First,  we  mention  a  small  but  common  borer, 
Pholadidea  penita,  Conr.,  Fig.  3,  PI.  XVI.  It 
is  seldom  more  than  an  inch  and  a  half  in  length. 
When  young,  the  part  of  the  shell  in  front  ol  the 


60  CALIFORNIA      SEA-SHELLS. 

file  is  absent,  leaving  the  foot  exposed,  and  in  a 
good  condition  for  pressing  against  the  side  of 
the  burrow.  In  time,  the  shell  forms  a  rounded 
end,  probably  after  most  of  the  hard  work  of  bor- 
ing has  been  accomplished,  and  the  animal  has 
a  secure  home.  This  species  has  curious  uin- 
bonal  reflexions,  which  adhere  closely  to  the 
shell.  They  do  not  work  to  no  purpose,  for 
thousands  of  them  are  now  engaged  in  t  filing 
away  dangerous  reefs,  along  the  coast. 

Zirphceacrispata,)  Linn.,  Rough  Piddock,  Fig. 
4,  PI.  XVI,  is  a  widely  distributed  species.  It 
bores  in  the  hardest  blue  clay  by  means  of  its 
sharp,  rasp-like  teeth,  which  are  ranged  in  rows 
on  the  forward  part  of  the  shell.  Within  the 
umbo  is  a  curious,  spoon-shaped  plate  or  tooth. 
A  little  supplemental  plate  covers  the  hinge  area. 
The  shell  is  white,  thin  and  brittle,  and  it  gapes 
widely  at  both  ends  ;  its  common  length  is  two 
or  three  inches. 

The  last  species  which  we  will  mention  is  the 
Great  California  Piddock,  Parapholas  Calif or- 
nica,  Conr.,  shown  in  Fig.  5,  PI.  XVI.  This 
noble  species  is  some  three  or  four  inches  in 
length.  The  anterior  portion  is  rounded  and 
full,  while  the  posterior  parts  taper  to  small  di- 
mensions, and  end  in  brown  flaps  of  epidermis, 
which  project  beyond  the  shell.  The  rocky 
dust  which  the  animal  excavates  is  utilized  in 
building  up  a  strong,  thick,  conical  chimney, 
which  protects  the  siphons. 

I 

THE   END. 


PLATE      XVI  . 


INDEX    TO    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PLATE  I. 

L 

Purpura  crispata.       The 

1.     Com 

p  a  r  t  s  of   a  univalve 

2.     Drill 

shell. 

3.     Drill 

2. 

Tapes  tenerrima.  The  in- 

ern 

terior  of  the  left  valve, 

4.     Lupc 

showing  the  parts  of  the 

5.     Triv 

shell. 

6.     Erat 

PLATE  II. 

7.     Erat 

1. 

Pteronotus  festivus.     On 

rocks. 

1.     Lum 

2. 

Ranella  Californica. 

beg 

8. 

Chrysodomus  dims.  Mos- 

2.    Cerit 

sy  rocks. 

of 

4. 

Purpura  saxicola.    Rocks 

3.    Bitti 

between  tides. 

4.     Seal* 

5. 

Purpura  canaliculata. 

5.     Opal 

Deeper  water. 

6.     Littc 

G. 

Purpira  crispata.   Rocks. 

Ro 

PLATE  III. 

7.     Littc 

1. 

Monoceros  lapilloides. 

Ab 

Surface  of  rocks. 

2. 

Chorus  Belcheri.       Very 

1.     Lacu 

large.     Southern. 

Ro< 

3. 

Monoceros      engonatum. 

2.     Phac 

Rocks. 

Des 

4. 

A  m  p  h  i  s  s  a    corrugata. 

3.     P  h  a 

Dead,  on  beach. 

Sar 

5. 

Amycla  carinata. 

ing 

6. 

C  e  r  o  s  t  o  m  a    foliatum. 

4.     Pom 

Rocks  ;  rare. 

Ril 

PLATE  IV. 

5.    Chlo 

1. 

Cerostoma    Nuttallii. 

Vei 

2. 

Nassa  fossata. 

6.     Chlo 

3. 

Nassa  perpinguis. 

Kel 

4. 

Nasea  mendica. 

5. 

Nassa  Cooper  i. 

1.     Choi 

6. 

Olivella  biplicata.      Bur- 

tun 

rowing  in  sand. 

2.    Calli 

7. 

Olivella  baetica. 

LOT 

PLATE  V. 

Con  us  Californicus. 

•rosa.     Beach. 
Drillia  penicillata.  South- 
ern. 

Luponia  spadicea. 
Trivia  Californica.  Beach. 

ellina.     Beach. 
Erato  col  umbel  la. 
PLATE  VI. 
Lunatia  Lewisii.     Sandy 

?. 
Cerithidea  sacrata.     Mud 

of  salt  marshes. 
Bittium  filosum.      Sand, 
Scalaria  crebricostata. 
Opalia  borealis. 
Littor ina   planaxis. 

scutulata. 
Abundant  on  rocks. 

PLATE  VII. 
Lacuna    unifasciata. 

Rocks   and  sand. 
Phachypoma  gibberosum. 

Dead,  on  beach. 
Phasianella  compta. 
Sand.     Very  rich  color- 
ing on  shell. 

s      undosus. 
Ribbed  operculum. 
Chlorostoma  fun  ebrale. 
Very  abundant  on  rocks. 
Chlorostoma    brunneum. 
!p. 

PLATE  VIII. 
Cholorostoma    aureotinc- 

tum.    Rocks/ 
Calliostoma  costatum. 
Low  water. 


INDEX   TO   ILLUSTRATIONS. 


3.  Calliostoma     annulatum. 

Attached  to  kelp. 

4.  Calliostoma    canalicula- 

tum.     Thin  ;  on  kelp. 

5.  Trochiscus  Norrissii. 

Rocks. 

6.  Omphalius    fusees  c  e  n  s. 

Basal  view. 

7.  Lept  ony  x  sanguineus. 

Rocks.      Shelly  opercu- 
lum. 

PLATE  IX. 

1.  Haliotis  Cr  ach  er  odii. 

Rocks. 

2.  Haliotis  rufescens.  Rocks. 

3.  Fissurella  volcano. 

4.  Lucapina  crenulata. 

5.  Crepidula  adunca.  Shells. 

PLATE  X. 

1.  Hipponyx  cranioides. 

2.  Scurria  mitra.       Roots  of 

sea  weeds. 

3.  Nacella    iucessa.        Sea- 

weed. 

4.  Acmsea  pelta.     Rocks. 

5.  Acma3a  persona.      Rocks. 

6.  Acmaea  patina.     Rocks. 

7.  Acmsea  spectrum.  Shells. 

PLATE  XI. 

1 .  Lottia  gigantea.     Rocks. 

2.  TornatelJa  punctocselata. 

3.  Ischnochiton     Magdalen- 

sis.     Under  stones. 

4.  Mopalia  muscosa. 

5.  Katherina     tunicata. 

Rocks. 

6.  Bulla  nebulosa. 

PLATE  XII. 

1.  Placuanomia  macroschis- 

ma. 

2.  Pecten  sequisulcatus. 

3.  Pecten  latiauritus.    kSea- 


weed. 

4.  Hinnites  giganteus    Deep 

water. 

5.  Lima   orientalis.      S  e  a  - 

weed. 

M  y  t  i  1  u  s  Californianus. 
Rocks. 

PLATE  XIII. 

1.  Adula  falcata.     In  rocks. 

2.  Septifer  bif  urea  tug. 

3.  Chama  pellucida.    Rocks. 

4.  Cardium  corbis. 

5.  Lucina  Californica. 

6.  Kellia  Laperousii.    Holes 

in  rocks. 

7.  Lazaria  subquadrata. 

PLATE  XIV. 

Pachydesma  crassatelloi- 
des. 

2.  Saxidomus  Nuttallii. 

3.  Tapes  staminea     Gravel. 

4.  Rupellaria   lamellifera. 

5.  Amiantis  callosa. 

PLATE  XV. 

1.  Tellina  Bodegensis. 

2.  Macoma  i  nconspi  c  ua. 

Sand. 

3.  Macoma   nasuta.     Mud. 

4.  Psammobia  rubroradiata. 

5.  Donax  Californicus. 

6.  Machaera  patula. 

PLATE  XVI. 

1.  Solerurtus  Californicus. 

Mud. 

2.  Platyodon     cancella  t  u  s. 

3.  Pholadidea    penita.     In 

rocks. 

4.  Zirphoea  crispata.     Hard 

clay. 

5.  Parapholas    Californica. 

In  rocks. 


INDEX 


Abalone .  .3  > 

Acmaea  Asmi 39 

patina 39 

pelta 39 

persona 39 

spectrum. ...     . .  .40 

Adula  falcata 48 

Amphissa  corrugata 20 

Amycla   carinata 21 

Amiantis  callosa 53 

Anomia  lampe 45 

Barrel-shell  43 

Basket-shell 22 

Bivalve,  description  ot..  . .  .10 

Bittium  filosum   27 

Bubble-shells 43 

Bulla  nebulosa 43 

Calliostoma  annulatum. .  .32 

canaliculatum33 

costatum 32 

Cardium  corbis 50 

Carpet-shell 53 

Cerithidea  sacrata 27 

Cerostoma  foliatum 21 

Nuttallii  ...  .22 

Chama  pellucida 49 

Chione  simillima 51 

Chitons 40,  42 

Chlorostoma  aureotintcum.31 

brunneum...  .31 

funebrale 30 

Chorus  Belcheri 20 

Chrysodomus  dirus 17 

Cockles 49 

Comb-shell 45 

Conus  Californicus 24 

Cowry,  Nut-brown 24 

Crepidula  adunca £7 

navicelloidee.32,  37 

Cryptochiton   Stelleri 42 

Cup  and  Saucer,  Limpet.  ..37 


Cypreea   Californica 24 

Donax   Californicus 57 

Drillia  penicillata. 24 

torosa 24 

Erato   columbella 26 

vitelliua 26 

File-shell ...47 

Fissurella  volcano 36 

Frog-shell 17 

Gadinia  radiata 37 

Gly phis  aspera 36 

densiclathrata . .  .  37 

Haliotis  corrugata 35 

Cracherodii 35 

rufescens 35 

—  splendens 35 


Haminea  vesicula 43 

Heart-shells 49 

Hinnites  giganteus 46 

Hipponyx  cranioides 37 

Hoof-shell 37 

Horn-mouth 21,  22 

Horn-shell 27 

Ischnochiton  Magdalensis..41 

Katherina  tunicata 41 

Kelly-shell 51 


Kellia  Laperousii 51 

Key -hole  Limpet 36 

Lacuna  solidula    29 

-  unifasciata 29 


Lazaria   subquodrata  ....  51 

Leptonyx  sanguinea 33 

sanguineus. ...  33 

Lima   orientalis 47 

Limpets S6,  40 

Liocardium  elatum ..50 

subst  via  turn.  .50 


Littoiina  planaxis 28 

—  scutulata'. 28 


Lottia  gigantea 40 

Luctna  Californica 50 


IXDEX. 


Lunatia  Lewisii. . .    ..... .26 

Lucapina  crenulata 36 

Luponia  spadicea 24 

Lyonsia  Californica 59 

Macoma  incouspicua.  ...  55 

nasnta 56 

Machara  patula 57 

Martrinella  Jewettii 26 

Modiola  capax 48 

modiolus 25 

recta 43 

Monoceros  engonatum.  . .  .20 

lapilluides.   ...  19 

Moon  she]  1 26 

Mopalia  muscosa 41 

Mussel 4~ 

Mya  arenaria 58 

My  tikis    Californianus.  . .  .47 

edulis  ..,  ..    ...47 

Nacella  incessa 88 

Nassa  Cooped    23 

fossa  ta 22 

mendica 23 

perpinguis 22 

Natica  clausa 27 

Olive 23 

Olivella  biplicata 23 

baBtica 24 

Opalia  borealis 28 

Omplialius  fuscescens  ...  .31 
Pachydesraa  crassatelloides52 
Pachypoma  gibberosum.  .  .30 

Parapholas  Californica 60 

Periwinkle 28 

^ecten  aequisulcatus 46 

bastatus 46 

latiauritus 46 

Petricola  carditoides 53 

Pbasianella  compta 29 

Pheasant-shell 29 

Pholadidca  penita 59 


Piddock 59 

Placuanomia  macroschisma45 

Pomaulax  undosus 30 

Pc-ammobia  rubro-radiata.56 

Pteronotus  festivus 17 

Purples 18,  19 

Purpura  canaliculata 18 

crispata... 19 

saxicola 18 

Ranella  Californica 17 

Razor-shell 57 

Rock-clam 52 

Rupellaria   lamellifera. . .  .54 

Sand  shell 56 

Sanoruinolaria  Nuttallii..  56 
Scalar ia    crebricostata.  . .  .28 

Scallop 45 

Schizothserus  Nuttallii  -  .  54 

Scurria  mitra 38 

Septifer  bifurcatus 49 

Slipper-shell 37 

Solecurtus  Californianus.  .57 

Solen  rosaceus 57 

sicarius 57 

Spindle  shell 17 

Tapes  staminea 53 

tenerrima. .    .....  .54 


Tellina  Bode^ensis 55 

Tellen 55 

Tonicia  lirieata 42 

Top-shells 29,  33 

Tornatella  punctocselata.  .43 

Triangle-shell 52 

Trivia  Californica 25 

Trochiscus  Norrisii  .    .    .  .33 

Turban 31 

Trigona 52 

Univalve,  description  of..  .9 

Washington  clam 54 

Wedge-shell 57 

Zirphaea  crispata 60 


ERRATA. 

Page  6,  line  19  ;  for  "  in,"  read  is.     Pa^e  8,  line  6  ;  for  "0~<?rdw 
read  op:rculum.    Page  24,  line  3.2 ;  for  *"  Cypraca"  read  Cypraea. 

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